Mashonaland

Mashonaland is a region in northern Zimbabwe. It is the home of the Shona people.

Currently, Mashonaland is divided into Three provinces,

In addition, the Zimbabwean capital of Harare, a province unto itself, lies entirely in Mashonaland.

Provincial history

It was originally one of the regions that the country was divided into following occupation by the Pioneer Column in 1890 and designated the extent of territory under administration of the British South Africa Company as distinct from the remainder of the territory that was directly under the control of the Matabele king, Lobengula, which was named Matabeleland when it was occupied in 1893. The two had separate administrations for part of the BSA Company colonial period.

Revolt broke out against the British South Africa Company in 1896, led by priests of the Mwari religious cult. The British prevailed, executed some leaders, and tried to reform the system.

In 1923, the territory became part of the self-governing colony of Southern Rhodesia and Mashonaland became one of the five provinces. In 1970, an administrative reform led to Mashonaland being divided into a northern and a southern half. Most recently, in 1983, it was divided into the current three sectors and the capital city of Harare was given its own provincial status as well. Since the constitutional amendments that took effect in 1988, each is run by a governor appointed by the president.