HISTORY ‘O’ LEVEL

AFRICAN

THE ROZVI STATE

[NOV. 2003]

19. (a.) List three duties carried out by male members and three duties carried out by

Female members in the Rozvi society. [8]

(i.) MALE

➢ Hunting, herding cattle, mining, thatching huts, also cultivation, smelting, trade, fishing. [3]

(ii.) FEMALE

➢ Crop cultivation, gathering, household chores, looking after children. [3]

(b.) Outline the economic and social way of life in the Rozvi state. [11]

(i.) ECONOMIC

➢ Crop cultivation – finger millet, bulrush millet, sorghum, cow peas, maize, rapoko.
➢ Pastoralism – cattle, a form of wealth – important for wealth and times of drought.
➢ Mining – gold, iron, copper. Practiced opencast mining.
➢ Hunting – to get meat, enjoyed as a sport by men; ivory, skins.
➢ Trade – local and external trade with Portuguese. Use of vashambadzi. Ivory and gold important
trade items to obtain cloth, beads, sea shells, etc.
➢ Blacksmithing – an industry to produce tools and weapons such as knives, razors, spears,
arrow-heads.
➢ Weaving – cloth – craftwork
➢ Pottery by women and basketry by men
➢ Tribute collected by the army for Changamire
➢ Division of labour according to sex, age and skill.

(ii.) SOCIAL WAY OF LIFE

➢ Religion - believed in Mwari and the importance of ancestors and spiritual beings.
➢ Shona priests – an important link in the society
➢ Believed spirit lived in Mountains, big pools of water, thick forests. Witchcraft.
➢ Mafisa – system – a system of kuronzera people who did not own cattle looked after other
people’s cattle, and would be given some eventually.
➢ Marriage – roora paid. Polygamy practiced esp. by those who owned many cattle, and
blacksmiths.
➢ A patrilineal society i.e. relations traced through the masculine gender
➢ Ethnic dances on important occasions and as leisure e.g. religious ceremonies.
(c.) Explain why this state declined. [8]

Reasons for decline

(i.) Internal factors – serious droughts, civil wars, economic decline, succession disputes, disputes
with Chikanga of Manyika, also Barwe chiefs
(ii.) External Factors – Nguni incursions and Portuguese invasions. Nguni groups were Zwangendaba’s
Ngoni; Nyamazana; the Ndebele; Nxaba and the Ngoni also briefly invaded.

[Nov 2004]

20 [a].State any six economic activities of the Rozvi State.

➢ Crop cultivation –millet, sorghum

➢ Pastoralism-cattle, goats
➢ Trade-internal and external trade
➢ Hunting-for meat and animal skins
➢ Craftwork tool making/blacksmithing
➢ Payment of tribute
➢ Mining
➢ Fishing/gathering/raiding

[b].Describe the political organization of the Rozvi State. [11].

➢ Rozvi rulers known as Mambo or Changamire

➢ Mambo was overall in charge of the military ,religious and political power
➢ Position of Mambo was hereditary
➢ The power of the king rested mainly with the army
➢ Had advisors to assist –mainly priests and army commanders
➢ Provincial chiefs were in charge of provinces .The Mambo was in charge of their installation. Also
had hereditary positions
➢ Chiefs(ishe) were in charge of chiefdoms and were appointed by the Mambo
➢ Under the chiefs were headmen(sadunhu)
➢ Allegiance to the Mambo was done through payment of tribute .Tribute was collected by the
army.
➢ Religious leaders involved in the installation of the Mambo.
➢ Tumbare acted as regent after the death of Changamire.

NB: Mambo (king) Ishe (chief) Sadunhu(Headman)

[c].How far did political problems contribute to the collapse of the Rozvi State ?

[i]. Contribution to the fall:

➢ Rozvi state too big –hence poor communication

➢ Succession disputes
➢ Political divisions, Civil wars failure to fully incorporate some chiefdoms like Kalanga ,
(chiefdom rebellions)
➢ Practice of Tumbare acting as a regent
[ii]Other factors for the collapse

➢ Successive droughts
➢ Decline of gold production
➢ Disruption of trade, especially by Portuguese
➢ Invasion of the State by Mfecane groups e,g Ndebele and Ngoni
➢ Depletion of resources

[Nov 2005]

21[a].Name any three Rozvi towns and any three Rozvi rulers up to the 18thcentury.

➢ Khami(Dlodlo); Naletale; Danangombe; Manyanga; Nhava YaTumbare

➢ Changamire Dombo; Changamire Rupanga Manhanga; Changamire Chirisamhuru ii

[b].Describe the political system and religious system of the Rozvi State up to the 19th century.
[11]

➢ Rozvi political system-Rozvi Mambo- was head of state; and commander-in-chief .Succession to the
throne was hereditary and cultural
➢ On death of mambo- Tumbare (Rozvi general) acted as regent –till appointment of new mambo.
➢ Provinces were under vassal chiefs installed by the Mambo or his representative
➢ Vassal Chiefs-paid tribute to Mambo as sign of loyalty; Tumbare (Rozvi general) was responsible for
collection of tribute.
➢ Sadunhu, Mambo’s senior wives and sons in-law were important officials of the king’s court.
➢ Rozvi religion-the Rozvi worshiped the sky- God-Mwari- Creator of Mankind and all creation ;Rozvi
also believed in spirits-ancestral spirits regional and national spirits called Mondoro
➢ Spirit mediums were go- between of the people and Mondoro- consulted in crises –famine, war,
drought
➢ Mambo believed to be a descendant of Mwari
➢ Was a religious leader

[c]. How important was the role of the army in the Rozvi political system? [8]

[i].Importance of the Army

➢ Used to conquer or raid neighbours for cattle ,extend territory

➢ Used to defend the state
➢ Army was also used to collect tribute –punish rebellious chiefs- failing to pay tribute

[ii].Other factors

➢ Most important element in the Rozvi state was religion-which united people
➢ Mambo was confirmed in office by spirit mediums
➢ Mambo regarded as divine ruler
➢ Also important was the strong economy of the state based on agriculture, pastoralism, trade
➢ Kuronzera united people
➢ Marriage alliances
 [Nov 2007]

22[a].List any six government officials of the Rozvi State. [6]

➢ Army commanders
➢ Provincial chiefs
➢ District chiefs
➢ Queen mother
➢ King ‘s sons- in-law
➢ Spirit mediums
➢ Tumbare
➢ Village heads
➢ King
➢ Sadunhu(Headman)
➢ Court counsellors

[b].Outline the social activities of the Rozvi State. [11]

➢ Rozvi society was patrilineal

➢ Succession to the throne was through father’s line(patrilineal)
➢ Ownership of cattle was a status symbol and cattle were used to pay roora
➢ Wealth in cattle could be loaned some by the wealthier through the kuronzera system or Mafisa system
➢ Division of labour was mainly based on gender
➢ The Rozvi worshiped creator God called Mwari, National spirits(Mondoros) and family ancestral spirit
mediums(Masvikiro)just like the shona of great Zimbabwe.
➢ Consulted ancestors in times of crisis
➢ Rozvi Mambo was chosen by spirit mediums and led at ritual ceremonies such as rainmaking
➢ The Rozvi believed that spirits resided in mountains, large pools and thick forests
➢ There was widespread belief in witchcraft

[c].To what extent did social activities strengthened the Rozvi State? [8]

[i].Importance of social activities:

➢ Religion was unifying factor

➢ The Mambo was chosen by spirit mediums and led at ritual ceremonies
➢ Kuronzera system helped to reduce poverty and maintain influence over important lineages and the
poor
➢ Polygamy helped to establish ties and influence. It was also a source of labour and soldiers. Some
marriages were for political alliance to maintain peace
➢ Since the Mambo had the highest number of cattle, he was the wealthiest and was held in high esteem.
[ii].Other factors:
➢ Strong economy based on agriculture helped to maintain peace and stability
➢ Trade was a source of foreign goods and helped to strengthen the economy and enrich the Mambo
since he controlled trade
➢ Also payment of tribute –ensured loyalty to the Mambo and ensured that chiefs did not become too
rich and powerful.
➢ A strong army was also important for defence of the state and putting down rebellions.
 (Nov 2010)

23.(a).List any six responsibilities of the Rozvi ruler. (6)

➢ Distribution of land , Chief judge, Religious leader

➢ Chief administrator, Custodian of state property
➢ Installation of lesser chiefs, commander-in-chief of the army
➢ Receiving and sharing tribute
➢ Control of hunting activities, Concluding alliances
➢ Declaring war, Controlling trade, protecting citizens
➢ Controlling mining activities, receiving foreign visitors
➢ Presiding over the council.

(b).Describe the social organisation of the Rozvi state. (11)

➢ Built pole and dagga huts

➢ Lived in Homesteads-lived according to lineages
➢ Belonged to the Moyo totem
➢ Rozvi marriages were exogamous
➢ Practised polygamy and paid lobola in form of cattle and iron tools
➢ Ownership of cattle was a status symbol
➢ Practised ‘mafisa\kuronzera-cattle loaning to people without cattle
➢ Division of labour
➢ Patrilineal society
➢ Worshipped ‘Mwari’, the Supreme Being and Creator of everything on earth
➢ Believed in national or regional spirits(Mhondoros) and family ancestral spirit mediums
➢ The king was the religious leader and led traditional ceremonies
➢ Brewed beer and slaughtered cattle at ceremonies called ‘Bira’ and held rain making ceremonies
➢ Believed that larger pools, forests and mountains harboured spirits
➢ King communicated with Mwari on behalf of people
➢ Believed in life after death and witchcraft and nyangas.

(c).How important was social organisation in the political system of the Rozvi State? (8)

➢ Religion was a unifying force

➢ King was chosen by spirit mediums
➢ King led traditional ceremonies
➢ Cattle loaning system helped to maintain influence and peace
➢ Polygamy used by ruling class to maintain alliances and important lineages

Other factors

➢ Tribute as a sign of loyalty

➢ Army for law and order, and suppressing rebellions
➢ A strong economy ensured stability
 [June 2011]

24[a].Name any three ethnic groups and their respective leaders who fought the Rozvi between 1800 and

1890 [6]

➢ Khumalo- Mziikazi
➢ Jere –Ngoni- Zwangendaba
➢ Ngoni- Nyamazana
➢ Shangane- Soshangane
➢ Msene-Ngoni- Nxaba

[b].Describe the duties of the Rozvi Mambo. [11]

➢ Controlled trade, Recived visitors.

➢ Commander in Chief of the Rozvi army
➢ Mambo was the head of state, distributed land
➢ Was the chief judge, selected provincial chiefs, district chiefs and sub-chiefs
➢ Received and handled reports from various parts of the kingdom
➢ Appointed the Council of Advisors, sanctioned ritual ceremonies
➢ Mambo was the religious leader, sent the army for raiding expeditions
➢ Received tribute from the chiefs, appointed army generals
➢ Worked hand in hand with religious leaders
➢ Had power to relieve his appointees of their duties
➢ Duty to defend the state from enemy attacks
➢ Had custody over captives
➢ Distributed food in times of drought, declared wars, signed treaties, and distributed looty.

[c].Was the Mambo’s leadership to blame for the decline of the Rozvi kingdom? Explain your

answer. [8]

Mambo’s weaknesses

➢ Other leaders were less charismatic than Dombo Changamire

➢ Appointed incompetent subordinates
➢ Appointments of officials were on a kinship basis
➢ Failed to rule the vast empire
➢ Failed to properly de-centralise his political powers
➢ Failed to repel Nguni incursions
Other factors
➢ Succession disputes /collateral system of succession
➢ Serious droughts, Civil wars
➢ Economic decline e,g mining, trade
➢ Disputes with Chikanga and Barwe chiefs
➢ Nguni incursions e,g Mzilikazi’s Ndebele, Zwangendaba’s Ngoni and Nyamazana’s Ngoni.
➢ Clashes with the Portuguese left the Rozvi state weakened
➢ Break away, Tumbare became too powerful, Hiya effects.