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'{{Multiple issues|refimprove =October 2009|wikify =May 2010|essay-like =May 2010}} {{Infobox Former Country |native_name = ''Rozwi'' |conventional_long_name = Rozwi Empire |common_name = Rozwi |continent = Africa |region = South Africa |country = [Zimbabwe] |language = [ikalanga] |status = [[monarchy|Kingdom]] |government_type g = Monarchy |year_start = 1660 |year_end = 1866 |event_start = Rozwi conquest of Butua |date_start = |event_end = Ndebele conquest of Rozwi |date_end = |event1 = |date_event1 = |event2 = |date_event2 = |event_pre = |date_pre = |event_post = <!--- Optional: A crucial event that took place before after "event_end"---> |date_post = |<!--- Flag navigation: Preceding and succeeding entities p1 to p5 and s1 to s5 ---> |p1 = Kingdom of Butua |flag_p1 = |s1 = Matebeleland |flag_s1 = |image_flag = <!--- Default: Flag of {{{common_name}}}.svg ---> |flag = <!--- Link target under flag image. Default: Flag of {{{common_name}}} ---> |flag_type = <!--- Displayed text for link under flag. Default "Flag" ---> |image_coat = <!--- Default: Coat of arms of {{{common_name}}}.svg ---> |symbol = <!--- Link target under symbol image. Default: Coat of arms of {{{common_name}}} ---> |symbol_type = <!--- Displayed text for link under symbol. Default "Coat of arms" ---> |image_map = |image_map_caption = |capital = Danamombe |national_motto = |national_anthem = |common_languages = [[language|Kalanga-Rozwi]] |religion = Cult of [[Mwari]] |currency = |<!--- Titles and names of the first and last leaders and their deputies ---> |leader1 = Changamire Dombo(first) |leader2 = Changamire Tohwechipi (last) |year_leader1 = c. 1660 - c. 1695 |year_leader2 = 1831 - 1866 |title_leader = Changamire |legislature = |<!--- Area and population of a given year ---> |stat_year1 = |stat_area1 = |stat_pop1 = |stat_year2 = |stat_area2 = |stat_pop2 = |footnotes = }} The '''Rozwi Empire''' or '''Lozwi Empire''' (1684–1834) was established on the [[Zimbabwe]]an Plateau by Changamire Dombo. ==Etymology== Rozvi-"Plunderers" the name seems to support oral history that suggests that the Rozvi people were great warriors who occasionally would invade and conquer neighboring groups to gain control of important trade routes power and important mineral resources, in particular the lucrative gold and ivory trade. ==History== In 1693, Portuguese militia tried to take control of the gold trade in the interior of sub-saharan Africa by invading the Rozwi empire. The Rozwi were able to successfully defeat these attacks and maintain their control of the gold mines until their empire collapsed. The Rozwi were led by [[Changamire Dombo]], whose power was based in Butua in the southwest of sub-Saharan Africa. The Rozwi were formed from several Shona states that dominated the plateau of present-day Zimbabwe at the time. They drove the Portuguese off the central plateau, and the Europeans retained only a nominal presence at one of the fairs in the eastern highlands. Changamire brought the whole of present-day Zimbabwe under his control, forming a polity that became known as the Rozwi Empire. This fierce tribe of warriors was to be known as the Rozvi or baLozwi people.<ref name="brit1">{{cite news |url= http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9064305/Rozwi|title= Rozwi |work= [[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |accessdate= 2007-05-09}}</ref> They established their capital at [[Danamombe]], also known as [[Dhlo-Dhlo]] (the [[Northern Ndebele language|Ndebele]] name). Many sources see the Rozvi not as a recovering segment of the Mutapa people, but in fact a people in its own right emerging under the wing of the Mutapa (compare the rise of the [[Khumalo]] from under the [[Zulu people|Zulu]] nation). The administrative power of the Mutapa began to fail to control the whole empire, and tributaries began to exert more independence. ==Decline of Mwenemutapa Empire and the rise of the Rozwi Dynasty== In 1629 Mwenemutapa attempted unsuccessful to throw out the Portuguese. He failed and was overthrown, leading to the Portuguese installation of Mavura Mhande Felipe on the throne. The new Mwenemutapa signed vassalage treaties with the Portuguese ceding gold mines and giving the Portuguese the rights to prospect and mine minerals at will. This effectively marked the beginning of the end off the Mwenemutapa's control as he lost respect and control of the local people who were not so keen on being vassals of the Portuguese crown. It was not long before this discontent was to lead to direct challenge of the Mwenemutapa's authority. A new Rozwi Dynasty was on the rise near Barwe and was soon to challenge the Mwenemutapa empire. In 1633 the Rozvi warriors attacked, this was to be the first of many challenges to follow. However the Rozvi were not strong enough or big enough, to successfully challenge and sustain control of the Mwenemutapa Empire, and clevely the sought to influence the succession politics of the empire while bidding time for an all out attack to gain control. They also needed to be strong enough to see off who the Portuguese who were backing the Mwenemutapa empire. In 1663 the Prazeros were able to depose Mwenemutapa Siti Kazurukamusapa and put their own nominee Kamharapasu Mukombwe on the throne. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Mutapa Kamharapasu Mukombwe was a weak ruler and he allowed to Prazeros to operate as independent rulers with their demanded taxes and free labor to farm their vast lands in return for a right to stay within their small empires. Resistance was not tolerated, villages was burnt, many families were displaced and some were taken and sold as slaves if they refused to pay tribute or provide free labor for the Prazeros. Many of the displaced young warriors joined up with the Rozwi. This further weeaakened Mwenemutapa empire and strengthened its main rival the rising Rozwi Dynasty In 1683 the Rozvi were strong enough to challenge the Butwa Kingdom which was to the west of the Mwenemutapa empire. This gave the Rozwi dynasty control over the gold trade of the Butwa empire. The people of the Butwa empire were the Bakalanga, a non-Tswana group of people related to the shona originating from present day northern Botswana. Their capital was Khami. Butwa or Butua was renowned as the source of gold for Arab and Portuguese traders. The region was first mentioned in Portuguese records in 1512. In 1684, at the battle of Mahungwe, the Rozwi lead by Changamire (leader/general)Dombo, decisively defeated the forces of Mwenemutapa Kamharapasu Mukombwe just south of Mutapa's metro district. When Mukombwe died in 1692, a succession crisis erupted. The Portuguese backed one succesor and Dombo another. With the Rozwi's support Nyakambira became the new Mwenemutapa and ruled from 1692 to 1694 when he was finally killed in a battle with the Portuguese. The Portuguese then replaced him with their own puppet Nyamaende Mhande. In 1695, Changamire Dombo overan the gold-producing Kingdom of Manyika at the battle of Penhalonga (derived from Portuguese words pena- pronounced penya-shiny longa from long) a shiny long mountain. Before moving his forces east to destroy the Portuguese fair town of Masikwesi. Thus allowing him complete control of the gold-producing territory from Butwa to Manyika. However Changamire Dombo was wounded in this battle and never fully recovered but having seen off the Portuguese his kingdom was secure. The Rozwi empire was the largest and most powerful empire in sub-Saharan Africa during its time. The Rozwi were able to resist any further attacks and maintain their control of the gold mines until their empire collapsed in the 1930s. ==Technology and economy== The Rozwi chiefs revived the tradition of building in stone and constructed impressive cities throughout the southwest. Polychrome pottery was also emblematic of its culture.<ref name="brit1"/> The economic power of the Rozwi Empire was based on cattle wealth and farming, with significant gold mining. They established trade with [[Arabs|Arab]] traders, in which materials such as gold, copper, and ivory were exchanged for luxury goods. Records from the Portuguese have shown that the Rozvi were expert military strategists. They were noted as using the cow-horn [[Formation (military)|formation]] years before the great Zulu leader [[Shaka]] did in the 19th century. With spears, bows, and arrows, the aggressive Rozvi took over the plateau.<ref name="brit1"/> ==Culture== Modern historians{{Who|date=May 2010}}, particularly in Botswana and South Africa, believe that the Rozvi people were not part of the Mwene Mutapa aristocracy. They had differences from Shona-speaking people. The Rozvi have their own languages, the main one of which is ''[[tjiKalanga]]''. Some linguists contend that Kalanga is a variant of Shona, and that it comes from either Zezuru or Karanga. This does not make sense because the inhabitants of Mapungubwe spoke Kalanga. Mapungubwe's carbon dating places it around A.D1220 to A.D 1300. Prof. Tom Huffman, Chair of Archaeology in the Wits School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, describes Mapungubwe and K2 as “the most important pre-colonial farming sites in South Africa. Mapungubwe’s architecture and spatial arrangement provide the earliest evidence for class distinction and sacred leadership in southern Africa”. The combination of excess wealth accumulated through long-distance trade and relatively large populations resulting from intensive agriculture made possible by seasonal floods resulted in “the most complex society in pre-colonial southern Africa”. Prof. Huffman insist people of Mapungubwe most probably spoke Kalanga. He also argues that Later, those who lived at Great Zimbabwe were to speak Karanga. “There was a climatic change around 1300 AD and Great Zimbabwe took over,” says Huffman. Although the Zimbabwe culture has been known to the western world since the 16th century, Mapungubwe and its famous golden rhino were revealed to archaeologists a little more than 60 years ago. The present-day Rozvi descendants are still Kalanaga speaking possible including some Karanga who use the totem Moyo. These are the ''Vayera Moyo's'', those who share the Moyo totem. The distinguishing feature of the ethnic Rozvi people is sharing the same totem, namely, the Moyo totem. All the people with the Moyo totem are one; hence the Shona saying is "Moyo imwe chete," which literally means that all the people with the Moyo totem are one. Totems are significant in that they can only be passed on through birth, thus all the people with the Moyo totem are related. There are various sub-totems: ''zvidawo'' (plural) and ''chidawo'' (singular), which come under the broad Moyo Totem umbrella. Examples of such sub-totems or variants of the Moyo totem are: Moyo Ndizvo, Moyo yavaDuma, Moyo Chirandu, Moyo Dewa, Moyo Talaunda, Moyo Nibukwa, Moyo Gululu and Moyo Murimirwa. The Kalanaga have their main shrine at Njelele in Matabeleland. The Moyo and Ncube people are the custodians. Twelve women who are above 50 years, twelve men who are above 50 years, twelve virgin boys, and twelve virgin girls help with the chores at Njelele. The number 12 is significant in the Bible, but it also is important in other traditions. In the past, the Rozvi did not accept any dowry prices for their female children. A Rozvi child gave birth to a Rozvi, and this did not matter whether it was a Rozvi daughter or son. George Fortune pointed at those people with the totems Moyo Muzukuru, and "Soko Moyondizvo", the children of Rozvi daughters who took the totems of their mothers. ==Politics and decline== The Rozwi used an Adelphic succession system(brother succeeds brother, this caused a lot of sucession disputes which were often resolved through civil war. This weakened the Rozwi and would later lead to their demise. The first to use the name Changamire was Changa, son of Mwenemutapa Matope, by adding the Arabic title Amir (commander) to his given name. On his father's death Changa killed the lawful successor, Nyahuma and declared his independence from the Mwenemutapa empire. His own son fought Chikuyo, Nyahuma's son till 1502, to retain his claim to independence. It was Changa II who first used Changamire as a dynastical title after his father. The Rozvi share the same totem the Moyo totem and are believed to be related to the Mwenemutapa aristocracy who were the builders of the Great Zimbabwe. The Rozvi were possibly of the priestly tribe of that aristocracy and responsible for the religious worship and the Mwari cult. Historically, it is known that Great Zimbabwe was the centre of worship, but that later when the Rozvi defeated the Batwa or Butua empire this moved to Matopos (Matombo- stone building), after the way the Rozwi build their dwellings using stone. The place was also knwon as Dhlo-Dhlo the ndebele name or Njelele. The power of the Rozwi was believed to be derived from their ability to control trade, and in collecting tribute from their subjects. They also had lots of cattle which made them powerful and influential in gaining allies or attracting young man who could then fight as warriors for them. The Rozwi's had a standing army which they used to police their empire. They are reported to have sent these armies to enforce collection of tribute when some groups have tried to resist. The army served another purpose, it ensured safe passage of goods to and fro from the eastern ports and the gold producing mines within the empire and the capital. The success of the empire relied on the ability to maintain peace within the empire, as wars were detrimental to free trade and in the absence of effective policing bandits could take advantage of the situation to deprive the traders of their precious cargo. In the early 1800's the rise of Shaka dis-stabilized the whole of the southern-Africa region. The Nguni groups fleeing from Shaka ravaged the Rozwi empire. Though initially they were able to resist and repel the invasions, they weakened the Rozwi and set the stage for their eventual demise to Mzilikazi's and leading to the rise of the Matebele reign. However, most Rozwi chiefs became officers for the new rulership, and thus retained their positions albeit under Matebele rule. For example chief Makokova retained his rule under Mzulikazi and subsequently under Lobengula. To this day the chiefteinship remains that of the Makokova clan. ==See also== *[[Dhlo-Dhlo]] ==References== {{Reflist}} {{History of Zimbabwe}} [[Category:History of Zimbabwe]] [[Category:Former countries in Africa]] [[Category:Former empires]] [[Category:17th century in Africa]] [[Category:18th century in Africa]] [[Category:19th century in Africa]] [[Category:States and territories established in 1684]] [[Category:1834 disestablishments]] [[pl:Rozwi]] ==Sources== * Bairoch, Paul (1991). Cities and economic development: from the dawn of history to the present. Chicago: university of Chicago Press. pp. 596. ISBN 0-22603-466-6. * Oliver, Roland & Anthony Atmore (1975). Medieval Africa 1250-1800. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. pp. 738. ISBN 0-52120-413-5. * Owomoyela, Oyekan (2002). Culture and customs of Zimbabwe. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 163. ISBN 0-31331-583-3. * Stewart, John (1989). African States and Rulers. Jefferson: McFarland & Company, Inc.. pp. 395. ISBN 0-89950-390-X.'