The Ndebele Kingdom

The Ndebele Kingdom

Ndebele means men of long shields. It's a nickname which was given to them by the Sotho and Swann people. The Ndebele originated from Khumalo clan of Nguni speaking people who broke away from he Zulu state because of Shaka Zulu's tyranny. The founder of Ndebele kingdom was Mzilikazi.
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They moved northwards and first settled at transvaal however their settlement in transvaal was short lived because of the trekking Boers. The Boers attacked and defeated Mzilikazi at the battle of Musiga and Gaboni and was forced to move further north river Limpopo in 1837. They settled in central Africa in the land ofRozwi empire which they overrun
Because the weakness of Ngoni people under Zwangedaba, they were easily defeated and the Ndebele assimilated them forming Ndebele kingdom with its capital near the present day Bulawayo.
Political Organisation.
When the Ndebele settled in the present day Zimbabwe, in Central Africa, Mzilikazi developed a highly centraltsed system of government with the king on the top of
administrative hierarchy.
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Like other pre-colonial African centralised states, the king had absolute powers i.e.
He made important decisions in the state.
He appointed military generals and territorial administrators.
In his administration, he was helped by indunas. These formed the council that advised the king on some important matters of the state such as raids and inheritance.
The king was also the supreme Judge and his word was final and in most cases had power over life and death of his subjects. He was the spiritual leader as well for this matter he presided over important ceremonies such as Inxwala which was the state festival (first fruit barvest ceremony).
As regards the system of succession, it was hereditary. The oldest son of the king's first wife took the throne of deceased father. However, he first had to win the approval and the council ofIndunas.
Further more to cement national unity and increase loyalty to him, the king bad to marry from all regions and clans e.g. Mzilikazi had over 400 wives.
The king's wives worked as special representatives of the king and fed him with constant information regarding the various provinces. The king's wives and relatives worked as spies and monitored Induna's loyalty.
It sbould however be noted that Ndebele was organised on military basis. The kingdom was divided into 4 provinces that were further divided into regimental towns commanded by lndunas appointed by the king. The Indunas exercised great authority in the regiment however they could be dismissed by the king whenever they were found guilty, These offices were appointive and not hereditary as such. Thus the chiefs were hardworking, efficient and loyal to the king in order to maintain their positions.
Each regimental town had an age regiment. This was composed of young men of the same age group trained together. They had Zulu type of discipline, fighting tactics and weapons such as short stabbing spears, which were known as "Assegai" which was invented by Shaka Zulu. Ndebele were a strong military force in central Africa that challenged the indigenous Shona of Rozwi Empire.
The age regiments were formed in such a way that young men of the same age group remained permanently in the same regimental town without marrying until the age of 40 for bravery and success in their life.
Marriage agreements was organized by the king and officers hence Ndebele kingdom was essentially a military state largely depended on the army in territorial expansion, territorial defence, quelling internal rebellions (putting off) raiding for the trade items, production etc.
Economic Organisation.
Like their political system, the Ndebele's economy was centralised. The king did not only control the royal herds but also wealth and assets of the kingdom. Private individuals could own cattle but their usefulness was determined by the controllers of the monarchy. No one was allowed to slaughter an animal without the king's consent. In addition to this, the group number of girls were important in formation of Ndebele wealth or therefore were under the control of the king. These could be given as brides but if the bridegroom was too poor the king himself had to provide the price.
Raiding system was important in setting up of Ndebele economy. Raids were organised and carried out by Ndebele forces purposely to improve on stocks of cattle. Cattle in the society was important as a source of milk, meat and was used for marriage purposes leaving alone hides and skins for dressing.
The Ndebele were also involved to some degree in commercial activities with the neighbours and with the Portuguese at the coast with whom they exchanged Gold and Slaves for guns and gunpowder. Moreover Mzlikazi the Ndebele king maintained monopoly of trade with Ivory as it created a strong demand on the side of Europeans hence creating strong commercial relationship with outsiders. Because of enough income from raiding activity the Ndebele never participated in mining activities.
Another economic activity in Ndebele kingdom was agriculture carried out at village levels mainly crops grown included pumpkins, potatoes and cotton.
In addition to agriculture, Ndebele's economic sector was made up of tributes, taxes obtained from tributary states such as Shona, Lori, Ngwato. These tributes were charged from cattle and imported clothes, food and gold dusts. All these worked hand in hand to boost Ndebele's economy.
Social Organisation.
In her social organisation, Ndebele was divided into 3 main classes i.e, Zansi, Enhala and
Holi.
The Zansi was at the top of the social ladder. This consisted of original Nguni people and their descendants. The basis of classification of this class was tribal, traditional nature of language and culture This formed the previleged class with many chances of promotion.
The enhala group was the 2nd class composed of the Shona and Swana conquered subjects who had been captured in the migration ofNdebele from South Africa. The enhala group didn t have privileges but they didn't suffer the tortures such as those faced by the third class.
Holi was the lowest class composed of the slaves. This class was subjected to all sorts of work including service for the first class citizens (Zansi). These class divisions were Jealously preserved by the Ndebele Administration. The original Khumalo group didn't want to lose its identity because they regarded themselves as foreigners and it was necessary to mobilise themselves in defence of one another as blood relatives against other Ndebele social units. lntenmarriages between the Holi, Enhala, Zansi etc were strongly prohibited by the Ndebele administration.
The second social aspect of Ndebele society was that they captured and enslaved people, they were forced to adopt the Ndebele language and every captive worked hard to be identified as a member of the Ndebele kingdom. Even the members of the social classes after distinguished service, a member of enhala would acquire a zansi state. These promotions however were so rigid that very few people managed to shift into other classes.
The third social aspect of the Ndebele society was religious. Unlike other conquered communities, in the field of religious beliefs of the shona (mlimo cults) were respected which were based in Matopos hills.
The mlimo cult was consulted through mediums called "Mulenga". Mzilikazi and Lubengula after him were both political and religious heads from the states. This is why the Shona-Ndebele rebellion of 1896-97 was organised on religious powers of Maleb gods basically because the Ndebele kings had divine powers.
The last social aspect of Ndebele kingdom was the importance of cattle. It was useful in the payment of bride price. According to the Sindebele language, bride price IS called "Lobola", offering sacrifices on important feasts and offering of gifts especially by the kings. Although the individuals owned cattle, the king had a special right over all the cattle in the kingdom. He was given information regarding the nwnber of birth and death of herds of cattle. The control of cattle increased his prestige because he owned them on behalf of all the people.
In conclusion therefore, the coming of colonialism, Ndebele had distinguished economic, social, and political spheres; which were interrupted by the Europeans.