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Decline of the Rozvi State Explained

The Rozvi State, founded by Changamire Dombo in South West Zimbabwe, was characterized by a strong reliance on cattle for economic and social structures, with a complex political organization led by a hereditary ruler known as the Mambo. The state faced decline due to factors such as droughts, succession disputes, and invasions from Nguni groups, which disrupted trade and led to civil wars. Key economic activities included cattle rearing, crop cultivation, and trade, while social organization was marked by a patrilineal system and significant religious practices.

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Prosper Katerere
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128 views5 pages

Decline of the Rozvi State Explained

The Rozvi State, founded by Changamire Dombo in South West Zimbabwe, was characterized by a strong reliance on cattle for economic and social structures, with a complex political organization led by a hereditary ruler known as the Mambo. The state faced decline due to factors such as droughts, succession disputes, and invasions from Nguni groups, which disrupted trade and led to civil wars. Key economic activities included cattle rearing, crop cultivation, and trade, while social organization was marked by a patrilineal system and significant religious practices.

Uploaded by

Prosper Katerere
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The Rozvi State

Overview

Historians agree that the founder of the Rozvi State was Changamire Dombo, a vassal
to the Mutapa who finally rebelled and founded his state South West Zimbabwe in the
strength of cattle. Extensive study by learners must be on the social, economic and
political organisations of the Rozvi state. Equally important the decline of the state
should be studied together with the impacts of Nguni incursions. The role of cattle in
the state and the Ndebele-Rozvi relations should be taken note of. Some of the Rozvi
Kings

→ Chirisamhuru 1

→ Chirisamhuru 2

→ Changamire Dombo

→ Gumboreshumba

→ Gomoremvura

→ Rupandamanhanga

→ Nechagadzike

Uses of cattle in the Rozvi state

→ Payment of tribute

→ As symbol of wealth

→ Used in Kuronzera

→ Used to get food such as milk and meat

→ Used in trade

→ Used in ritual ceremonies

→ Used to pay lobola

→ Skins were used to make shields, drums and mats

Rozvi capitals

→ Danangombe

→ Naletale
→ Dhlodhlo

→ Manyanga

→ Kame

→ Tsindi

→ Ntabazikhamambo

The Nguni groups which attacked the Rozvi state → Maseko

→ Kololo

→ Ngoni

→ Ndebele

→ Ngwane

→ Msene Ngoni

→ Jere Ngoni

Economic activities in the Rozvi state

→ Cattle rearing

→ Crop cultivation

→ Trade

→ Tribute

→ Mining

→ Raiding

→ Hunting and gathering

→ Blacksmithing

→ Pottery and weaving

→ Fishing and basketry

Duties of the Rozvi army

→ Expanding the frontiers of the Rozvi state → Defending the state


→ Ensure that the subjects obey the king → For raiding

→ Attacking the invaders e.g. the Portuguese in 1693

→ Protecting the refugees who fled from the Portuguese

→ Maintain peace and order

Reasons for the collapse of the Rozvi

→ Successive droughts

→ Succession disputes

→ Disagreement between political leaders and religious leaders

→ Exhaustion or depletion of resources

→ The vastness of the Empire

→ Rozvi failure in incorporating some Chiefdoms

→ Disruption of trade by the Portuguese

→ Civil wars

→ Nguni incursions

Social organization of the Rozvi State

The Rozvi belonged to the Moyo totem and were patrilineal. Their homesteads were
made up of lineages. Those who owned large herds of cattle were highly respected
and they acquired a high social status. The Rozvi practiced ritual, religious and
rainmaking ceremonies. They believed in the existence of the Supreme Being and
spirits. The Rozvi ancestors were highly regarded and the King could preside over all
national ceremonies.

Religion and politics in the Rozvi state were interwoven and the Mambo was regarded
as a semi god. The Rozvi were polygamous, wealthy men could marry many wives.
Lobola was paid inform of cattle and even iron tools. The wearing of glass beads was
regarded as status symbol. The Kuronzera system was carried out by the King to help
his subjects. The Rozvi enjoyed the veneration of spirits through the ceremonies
called Bira. Religious authority relied on the support of the military leader called
Tumbare, who stood in the place of the mambo after his death until a new mambo
was installed.

Economic structure of the Rozvi

1. Crop cultivation was the back- bone of the Rozvi economy. They grew crops such
as sorghum, millet and Rapoko. Produce from agriculture could be traded or used to
pay tribute or for consumption. The produce from the king’s field could be
distributed to the subjects during drought or used during national ceremonies.

2. Cattle rearing constituted the basis of Rozvieconomy. Cattle were used to pay
lobola, to provide meat and milk as well as to pay tribute to the Mambo. The king
used cattle to make the Kuronzera system effectual. Cattle were a living bank of the
Rozvi people. The largest herd belonged to the king.

3. The Rozvi people were involved in both internal and external trade. In external
trade items such as ivory and gold could be exchanged with exotic goods such as
beads and clothes. Trade in the Rozvi state was conducted through the Vashambadzi.

4. Tribute payment was another economic activity in the Rozvi State. The subjects
could pay tribute to the King in form of cattle, beads, bangles, gold and grains. The
payment of tribute to the King was a sign of loyalty. Those who refused to pay tribute
were subjected to raiding.

5. Mining and hunting were practiced by the people of the Rozvi state. Gold mining
was done after harvest. Gold could be used in trade and to pay tribute. Elephant
hunting was conducted to get ivory. Ivory was also important in trade and tribute
payment.

NB other economic activities were the same as those of Great Zimbabwe.

Political organization of the Rozvi

The mambo was the head of the state and was a hereditary ruler. He was overall in
charge of military, social, economic, religious and political power. The Changamire
(king) ruled with the assistance of the dare, which comprised of priests, military
leaders and provincial governors. Provincial chiefs and sub chiefs were appointed by
the King to be in charge of provinces and chiefdoms. The headmen played an
important role in the Rozvi politics. The King was the distributor of land and the
holder of other property in trust of the state. Loyalty to the mambo was shown
through the payment of tribute. Religious leaders were involved in the installation of
the new mambo.

The Mambo had several wives who played an important role in advising him. The
wives played a spy network informing the King on important matters which could
threaten the state. The army commander was Tumbare or Mutinhima, who was
purely chosen by the King on matters of bravery and could act as a regent king after
the death of the Mambo. The Mavhudzi were the Vazukuru who played an important
role in advising the Changamire. They were the ambassadors who could be sent on
important state assignments.

The collapse of the Rozvi state

→ Successive droughts resulted in depletion of cattle herds leading to the collapse of


the state. Many people started to migrate in search of better grazing lands.
→ Succession disputes hindered the survival of the Rozvi state. The disputes
culminated into civil wars. The civil wars of the late 18th century brought divisions
in the state. There were serious disagreements between Gomoremvura and his son
over the Rozvi ruler-ship, and this division led to the collapse of the Empire.

→ Disagreements between the Rozvi rulers and the religious leaders led to the
collapse of the Rozvistate. Oral tradition says these quarrels led to drought which
greatly affected livestock production which was the base of the Rozvi economy.

→ Depletion of resources such as gold made the decline of the Rozvi state.
Exhaustion of gold fields meant loss of foreign trade, thereby killing the life line
exchange in foreign goods.

→ The failure of the Rozvi to incorporate some chiefdom like the kalanga led to the
decline of the state as these groups frequently threatened the sovereignty of the Rozvi
state.

→ The Nguni invasions was another cause for the collapse of the Rozvi state. The
Rozvi state was attacked by at least six Nguni groups which include the

Ngwane, Maseko, Ngoni and Kololo. Capable Rozvirulers were killed by these
invaders and the caused political displacement. For example their invasion led
Tohwechipi, who was to succeed Chirisamhuru, to flee to Nyaningwe leaving power
vacuum.

Common questions

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Religion and politics in the Rozvi State were deeply interwoven, influencing its governance significantly. The Mambo was regarded as a semi-god, reinforcing his authority over both spiritual and temporal realms. The religious leader Tumbare had military responsibilities and stood in for the Mambo until a new king was installed, showcasing the tight integration of religious authority and political power. The religious leaders played an essential role in the king's installation, and the veneration of spirits was common practice, binding socio-political functions with spiritual beliefs .

Trade with external entities was vital for the Rozvi State, facilitating interactions through the exchange of resources like ivory and gold for exotic goods such as beads and clothes. This trade network was managed by traders known as Vashambadzi. The trade not only brought wealth and foreign goods but also positioned the Rozvi as a significant regional player. Trade agreements helped in establishing diplomatic connections and were crucial for the state's economy, although interruptions, such as by the Portuguese, could destabilize it .

The social organization of the Rozvi State reflected deeply ingrained cultural values, being patrilineal with a strong focus on family lineage and ancestral worship. Large cattle ownership translated into high social status, emphasizing wealth as a cultural value. Polygamy was common among wealthy men, indicating the importance of family size and influence. Religious practices, such as the Bira ceremonies, highlighted the community's spiritual connections and reverence for ancestors. The integration of military and spiritual roles, like Tumbare's position, showed the intertwining of cultural and social structures with political governance .

The Nguni incursions significantly contributed to the Rozvi State's decline by causing direct military confrontations that led to the death of capable rulers and political displacement. These invasions disrupted the political stability, as evidenced by the power vacuum left by leaders like Tohwechipi fleeing to Nyaningwe. The inability to resist these incursions weakened the Rozvi's territorial integrity and exacerbated existing internal issues, such as succession disputes and resource depletion, hastening the state's eventual collapse .

Cattle were central to the social and economic structures of the Rozvi State. They were considered a symbol of wealth and were used in various economic transactions such as paying tribute to the Mambo and lobola. Cattle provided essential resources such as milk and meat, were used in trade, ritual ceremonies, and served as a living bank for the Rozvi people. The Kuronzera system, where the king distributed cattle to assist his subjects, further underscores the economic importance of cattle. Additionally, cattle skins were utilized to make shields, drums, and mats .

The Rozvi State's political organization was centralized around the Mambo, a hereditary leader with control over military, economic, and religious aspects of governance. This centralization ensured unified command but also implied that leadership transitions could be volatile, as seen in succession disputes. The appointment of chiefs and sub-chiefs by the Mambo helped manage provinces and maintain state stability. Religious leaders' involvement in installing the Mambo highlighted political-religious integration. The use of wives as a spy network for state matters showed the nuanced layers of political control, important for stability but vulnerable to internal strife .

The Rozvi army played crucial roles in expanding the state's territory, defending against invaders such as the Portuguese in 1693, and maintaining internal order. They ensured subjects obeyed the king and conducted raids against non-tributary groups. The army also protected refugees from the Portuguese, supporting a strategic humanitarian stance. These functions not only fortified the state's objectives of expansion and control but also sustained the socio-political hierarchy by asserting the Mambo's authority and supporting state stability .

Key economic activities sustaining the Rozvi State included crop cultivation, cattle rearing, trade, tribute payment, and mining. Crop cultivation, especially of sorghum and millet, was fundamental for food security, trade, and tribute. Cattle rearing was central, serving as a wealth indicator and providing resources like milk and meat. It also supported economic transactions like lobola. External and internal trade, utilizing resources like ivory and gold, brought in exotic goods. Tribute payment in various forms showed loyalty and was vital for maintaining the state's hierarchy. Gold mining post-harvest contributed to trade and tribute, supporting economic circulation .

The Rozvi's economic activities, particularly cattle rearing, crop cultivation, and mining, contributed significantly to their regional influence and shaped trade dynamics in southern Africa. Cattle and crop production supported local sustenance and allowed for surplus trade, enhancing regional market presence. Gold mining facilitated active engagement in international trade networks, bringing wealth and status. Tribute systems reinforced loyalty, concentrating wealth and power, crucial for exerting influence. Mining and trade strengthened connections with neighboring states, augmenting the Rozvi's economic and political reach within the region .

The collapse of the Rozvi State was due to a combination of internal and external factors. Successive droughts depleted cattle herds, crucial to the Rozvi livelihood, prompting migrations in search of resources. Succession disputes and civil wars, particularly the disputes between Gomoremvura and his son, weakened the state's unity. Religious and political disagreements allegedly caused droughts, further impacting cattle production. Moreover, the exhaustion of gold resources hindered trade, diminishing economic vitality. The failure to integrate certain chiefdoms, like the Kalanga, and the Nguni invasions destabilized the political landscape, leading to the demise of capable rulers and creating a power vacuum .

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