Shamva District is a significant administrative and mining district in Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland Central Province, located about 90 km northeast of Harare. The region is historically renowned for large-scale gold mining at the base of Shamva Mountain. Nickel and other volcaniclastic-hosted deposits are also a major part of the local industry.
The district comprised of two tribal trust lands and an area that was designated as European farming area that was not delineated. The bigger area is known as Madziwa and it borders on Mt Darwin district, a part which it once belonged to. The smaller portion of the area is known as Bushu and it is situated close to the Shamva village.
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The Madziwa Tribal Trust Landconsists of three communities.The first one is underChief Madziwa and under him there are two communities namely Chief Madziwa community and Nyamuparadza/Chihuri community.The second community falls underChief Nyamaropa with Nyamaropa community and Mushowani community. Lastly there isChief Mutumba who presides over the Mutumba community. On the other hand, theBushuTribal Trust Landconsists of Bushu community and Chipadze community
Chief Madziwa
This group belongs to Soko totem, their chidawo is Murewa and they belong to the Vazezuru tribe. Their area is known as Bvuma and their language is Chizezuru. Their praise name is Chuma (said to have been given because of all the gold they mined from the Mazowe area).
The appointment of the chief
It is said the process did not involve a svikiro. The Madziwa people observe the Donhodzo custom, whereby the eldest female collateral acts as chieftainess (mambokadzi) until the appointment of a new chief. As the name implies, she is appointed so that the tribe may “cool off” under impartial administration while a successor is found. However, in modern times certainly and perhaps in the past a man (an elderly collateral) is also selected to do all practical work. As a result, the exact role of the acting female is not known- she is probably rather like a vatete (aunt) in nhaka (inheritance) matters, keeping an eye on the umambo (chieftainship) and succession disputes.
Brief history
This tribe is supposed to have come into the area several years ago from Guruuswa and found the country occupied by the Vatsenga whom them conquered and drove out. They claim that Mutota (Mukombwe) then allocated them the area known as Bvuma.
The first chief Madziwa was Samabita who was followed by Nyahuma (had no male offspring) and was followed by Nyamukudunga (also no male offspring) who was succeeded by Munyeche (from house 1) who was then followed by Dzeka (from house 2). After Dzeka came Kasoko who was a son of Munyeche followed by Mashayanyika (from house 2) who was followed by Buwu (from house 1) then followed by Kabiya who was followed by Chisanzu followed by Bere followed by Gatsi who was followed by Magunje followed by Chizanaga. The chieftainship rotated between the two houses.
Movements
Mutumba and his people in the south moved into the area and Dumbujena moved to Dotito’s area and others went to Matope’s area in Mount Darwin. Villages under chief Madziwa comprise of Chilanga, Vambe, Nyamufukudza, Muserepu, Chikwenengere, Kudyakwezomba, Tomusoni, Mafatamari, Zindoga, Chipisa, Chinanga, Kumocha, Mukunga, Chikunye, Madziwa/ Mugano, Hoko, Chikawaza, Musanoma and Fakanya.
Boundaries
The boundary starts at the point where Zvisukwe river bisects the eastern surveyed boundary of the Tribal Trust land, down the stream to its confluence with Mudifure river up toits confluence with Nyamaruro stream and up this to the western surveyed boundary north and then east, south to the starting point. However, this boundary was disputed by Madziwa who insisted that the boundary was supposed to be Kasoro and Mupfuri rivers. The boundary of the community starts at Mupfuri/ Zvisokwe confluence down Mupfuri (instead of up it) until one reaches the northern surveyed boundary.
Functions of the chief
All cases received from the villages are handled by his court. Villages in Nyamparadza/ Chihuri community bring their cases to Madziwa’s court on appeal from their own court. The court sits on Fridays and Sundays and the later day was meant for people who worked on European farms. Appeals from chief Madziwa’s court are referred to the District Commissioner for Shamva.
Example of cases tried included adultery, divorce, quarrels, trespassing- cattle trespassing in lands and gardens. The court councillors (makurukota) included Kanyama, Handisoni, Matimura and Fakanya.
Chief Mutumba
The people belong to the Tembo totem, Samaita is their chidawo and their praise name is Mazvimbakupa. Their chief is known as Mambo or Changamire and their area is known as Mahoori. They are from the Manyika tribe. Additionally, their area is also known as Machiri (plural of jiri- orchard) because the area has vast quantities of Muzhanje (Uapaca kirkiana) trees growing in the area.
Additionally, the appointment of the chief is collateral and the tribal Mhondoro also plays a role. Without the sanction of the spirits as expressed through the svikiro the chief would not be recognised as the true leader of his people.
This clan originally came from the area around Mutare and consequently regard itself as Manyika. However, they have become divorced from the main tribe, and they are now fully Chizezuru speakers.
The Mutumba group is alleged to have migrated from the area now occupied by chief Mutasa in the Mutare district with whom they have a strong kinship tie. They migrated towards Marondera and finally settled in the present Chihota Tribal Trust Land. It is said the Mutumba group who are the descendants of the second wife of their legendary ancestor Chivazo were never in a politically favourable position in Chihota. As a result, after various tribal scuffles they finally migrated north to their present area. Their leader was Nyamuseve.
Boundaries
The boundary of old Mutumba starts at Zvisokwe river to its source, across the bush in a southly direction to the Gwetera stream, to Rushinga stream down to Mufurudze up Mufurudze to where Chiviri farm is located. Then up the Nyamanyurwi stream to its confluence with Munzi stream, to the present Tepatepa farm, to Nyamaruro stream, down this river to Mupfuri, down to its confluence with Zvisokwe and the starting point. This area is supposed to have been allocated to this clan by Mukombwe (one of the Monomotapas).
Later the boundary of Mutumba started at the northwest of the area following Nyamaruro river from the point where it bisects the western survey boundary of the Tribal Trust land, down to its confluence with Mupfuri river, down to its confluence with Zvisokwe river, up Zvisikwe to the point where it bisects the main Harare/Mt. Darwin road. It then stretches down to the Mupfuri river up to its source, over the watershed to the source of Dikatera dam, in a southerly and slightly westerly direction along the watershed and to the east of Haramba hill to the source of Chinzvinzivi stream down to Mupfurudzi river up the western surveyed boundary of the Tribal Trust Land up this boundary to the starting point.
Villages under chief Mutumba community included Kazuva, Ganza, Jojo, Sosa, Choga, Mupfeki, Mungandu, Katsime, Ruvudzi, Hufara, Nyangwara, Chikuwa, Chisesu, Kasukuwere, Date, (Mu)Kawukwira, Mayemuka, Muchenje, Kanyera, Musiyiwa I, Musiyiwa II, Kunobvurunga, Maguravada, Kanyepi, Chinyani, Kapembeza, Mutumba, Muchenje II, Maonga, Mudavanhu Girori, Kubayirakwenda Mutero, Barwa, Dokora, Chiwayo, Konongoni, Chiwayo II, Marako, Kamudyariwa, Chigombe, Munava, Chikoto, Maguni, Maponga, Muchenje III Shinya, Lazaro, Mhembere Hoko, Mubata, Katutu, Munetsi, Mushori, Mpanguri, Kamoto, Mucherahowa, Hore, Muchenje, Hawu and Maringi.
Genealogy
The first chief Mutumba was Nyamisevu (a young brother of Chihota by a second wife- it is assumed that this Chihota was Chivasa who led the migration from Mutasa) followed by Mudavanhu who was succeeded by Chimugonde wo was later succeeded by Chokumarara who was followed by Katungamidza followed by Rushawu followed by Zaranyika who was succeeded by Chigarisana followed by Maririri who was succeeded by Kagunguwo.
Headman Nyamuparadza/Chihuri Community, Chief Madziwa
They are of the Mbano totem, Matemai is their chidawo and the other praise name is Chiwuya. They are believed to be Zezuru.
Early History
This tribe came from Chikwaka in the present Goromonzi district. They were allocated the area by Mukombwe. Legend has it that they were allocated a country known as Rukara, as Chitsinga (the founding ancestor) had been the muranda/servant who helped looking after Mukombwe. He was then given this dunhu in gratitude. They still occupy this dunhu.
The clan did not multiply for some reason, and it remained small. Owing to a succession of deaths of male ascendants the line almost expired. It fell into the hands of Sekwa (woman) who acted as regent until her nephew became old enough to rule. Sekwa had married into the Chihuri who had invaded the area and largely overran it.
Villages under this area were Matimura, Myamuparadza, Kanawasvika, Mashanda, Humbasha, Harande, Chakondora, Barangwe, Chihuri, Mushayi, Mutami, Chikonamombe, Nduna, Ranziroti
Boundaries
The north and west boundaries are determined by the Tribal Trust land boundary. The south and eastern boundary is the Mupfuri river which is followed upstream to its confluence with Nyamaruro stream after which the latter is followed to the surveyed Tribal Trsut land boundary.
This community has two major subdivisions centred around Chihuri and Nyamuparadzi. Both claim all the villages to themselves. The chief Madziwa states that their boundary between the two groups should be the Kamoyo stream.
Chief Bushu
They belong to the Tembo Mbizi totem, Mbayiwa/ Mazvimbakupa is their chidawo and they are of the Manyika tribe. They speak Chizezuru language. The appointment of the chief is collateral.
The Bushu people are related to Chihota of Marondera and thus to Mutumba of Madziwa Tribal Trust Land. They originally migrated from Mutare. After settling in Chihota the clan split again and the Bushu people finally settled in their present area.
The first chief was Bushu followed by Kajakata who was followed by Zazangandu who was then succeeded by Mudapakati who was then followed by Munyangaduri. After Munyangaduri came Marambe who was succeeded by Mudepo followed by Mukanwa/ Mapuranga.
Villages under chief Bushu include Muyambi, Chiyangwa, Rudenya, Dzuda, Jaji, Chaparadza, Hega, Chaniwa, Sundura, Gatsi, Chikwekwe, Chihera, Rusere, Mhandu, Kanyemba, Dadiya, Chataika, Jiti, Chakonda, Gilbert, Marewetekwa, Murasiranwa, Zvomuya, Chitikiti, Manayange, Mbambe, Gonoremvuwu, Kadiyo, Mukanwa, Gwabi, Chitsa, Kusemamuriwo, Bushu, Kambiri, Muchenje, Takawira and Zhanda.
Subsidised headman Chipadze lived in this area with his eight villages. However, they have no allocated dunhu and are scattered among the Bushu villages. Most of them are found in the northeastern side of the area.
Mukanwa is regarded as a muchinda (royal person) but does not form the nucleus of a community. These villages were said to be under Mukanwa’s control: Chitsa, Gwabi, Chimbohora, Kadiyo, Mbambe, Gono and Chitiriki
Headman Chipadze, Chief Bushu
They belong to the Zenda totem, Simbiruri (changed from Nyoni, Hungwe) is their chidawo and they are of the Zezuru tribe. The appointment of the headman is collateral.
Their original ancestor Chiwaridzo was part of Matebele impi that was sent to make raids in northern Mashonaland. But when the impi returned, it is said Chiwaridzo remained behind at a place called Mutsokoto in the present chief Mangwende’s area of the Murehwa district. Chiwaridzo married there and had a son called Tsvimbo and Tsvimbo had two sons, Chidziwa and Chigunde. Later, they went to look for food in Hombiro area under chief Nyajina. On their way back Tsvimbo told them that mudzimu of Nyasoro had come to him asking him for men to fight against Tsautare Chipadze in Pote Valley area and to take his territory for him. Tsautare Chipadze was a muzezuru with Soko totem and Simbirori as chidawo and he was the chief of that area. Following their father’s request, Tsvimbo’s sons collected men from the Hombiro area to go and fight against Tsautare. They killed him and his family. Afterwards the men from Hombiro returned to their area and Nyasoro’s mudzimu gave the area to the two brothers Chidziwa and Chigunde. Chidziwa was made chief and they took the name Chipadze as their own and Simbirori as their chidawo while retaining their totem Zenda (originally Shiri Hungwe). This area had its boundaries at the Mazowe river, Pote river, and extending westwards to a hill called Nyandarama, a few miles east of Mazowe.
All this took place before the arrival of Europeans. It is alleged that Chidziwa then went away to look for a wife and asked his brother Chigundo to act as chief. Consequently Chidziwa was away for five years and in those days if someone went away for that long it was assumed they have been killed. Chigunde brewed beer for the guva ceremony for his brother. While they were preparing this the women who were drawing water for this large gathering met a man at the well. He asked what they were doing and after their narration he said he was Chidziwa. He then told them he was going back from where he had come from and was not coming back. Nevertheless, Chigunde continued with the guva ceremony.
Headman Chawunetera Chipadze narrated that they left their Pote valley when he was a small boy and they were driven away by white people. They were then living near the large hill at Bindura where the Chipadze chiefs were buried. The last headman Chavhunduka was buried in Bushu Tribal Land but the midzimu are not happy about this.
The Chipadze headman are appointed by Mhondoro. Their Svikiros are women known as Chidziva. When Chipadze’s people were made to leave Bindura and go to Bushu tribal area many of them went elsewhere, for example Mrewa, Mt. Darwin, Chief Negomo (Mazowe) and Chief Musana (Bindura). The poor soils in Bushu area were their reason for choosing other areas to settle in.
Genealogy
The first headman was Chidziwa followed by his brother Chigunde. After Chigunde came Nyagaha followed by Dambirambe who was succeeded by Tsiga-Dzimati. Afterwards came Chavhunduka who was the headman when the Europeans arrived in the area and he was later succeeded by Chawanetera.
Villages under headman Chipadze include Chidanyika, Chigwida, Chirara, Mbavara, Chipadze, Homodza, Mhene and Musekiwa.
His court sits on Tuesdays and Fridays. Councillors at his court included Chigwida, Mbavara and Homodza. Chief Bushu exercises overall control of the land.
Chief Nyamaropa
They belong to the Shava totem, Nematombo is their chidawo and their additional praise name is Howo Mafungura Bonga and they belong to the Korekore tribe. Their language is Chikorekore. Their area is called Chizinga.
This tribe was founded by one Nyamamindi and his son Reza. The tribe lived in an area called Chizinga which was allocated to them by Mutota (Monomotapa 1). Their history prior to them settling in Chizinga is not known. From Chizinga they moved in about 1920 to the present Madziwa Tribal Trust Land.
Boundary
The boundary of their area goes from the point where Zvisokwe river bisects the Tribal Trust land boundary going up the river to the Mt. Darwin/ Bindura road, down the road to the point where it crosses the Kasoro river, up the river to its source up through the lands to Dikatera dam, south along the watershed to Chinzvinzvi stream down to its confluence with Mufurudzi down Mufurudzi to the Charter Tribal Trust land boundary and back along this northwards to the starting point.
Villages in this area include Musokwa, Reza, Masengera, Nyamaropa, Mukubvu, Chigwande, Gurure, Matombe, Kajevu, Katsande, Gora, Katungu, Sweswe, Mugwisa, Chihuje, Zengeneni, Chodakuga, Chidembo, Guyo and Chimunyemba.
Functions of chief:
The cases are received from all villages. Besides these villages, the villages from Mushowani can uplift their cases to Nyamaropa for retrial. Appeals from Nyamaropa court are referred to the district commissioner Shamva. This court sits on Wednesdays and Sundays. The chief is the land authority and thus sanctions all settlement and all communal development in his area.
Headman Mushowani, Chief Nyamaropa
They belong to the Gusho totem, their chidawo is Mhara and their additional praise name is Mbuya. They belong to the Korekore tribe and their language is chiKorekore. The headman is called Mambo or Changamire. Appointment of the headman is collateral.
According to information that was provided by headman Mushowani on the 2nd of December 1964 the first headman was Nyamanza followed by Matirira who was succeeded by Ngoriwo followed by Nyamusimira followed by Nyambwerere who was followed by Madabe who was followed by Mandaza followed by Chiweshe who was succeeded by Chapendama and followed by Maja. Maja was appointed in 1947 by Native Commissioner Mt. Darwin and Maja’s clan.
Early History
The tribe claim to have always lived in Matawu and that their right to the area was recognised by Mutota (probably Mukombwe) the Monomotapa whose sole prerogative it was to apportion the various clans their areas. He was known as Mugoveranyika.
The area now occupied by this community is in the traditional area of chief Mutumba, according to the Mashowani people. They say they were moved from their old area in 1919 and were given their present area. Their old area became Crown land/African Purchase area and unreserved land. When they settled in the area, they found three villages already settled in this area i.e. Manyika a Madziwa Samusha, Nanga and Zvomuya of Mutumba.
The following misha moved to other areas: Masango and Jonga moved to Nyombwe under chief Dotito of Kandeya Tribal Trust land. Chizhowezha moved to Matope and Sweswe moved to Nyamaropa. Chaparadza and Kambarami moved to Bushu Tribal Trust land.
Villages that were in this community include Nyikayaramba, Maja, Kashambwa, Peter, Gwangwava, Manyara, Dzetiye, Manyika, Mmabudzi, Marimira, Bvumbwe, Changata, Kariwo, Payisoni, Zvomuya and Nanga.
Boundary
The boundary starts where the Gwetera river meets the Tribal Trust Land’s eastern surveyed boundary to where the Zvisokwe river bisects it then follow Zvisokwe to the Mt. Darwin/ Harare road, south along the road to Mupfuri river up to its source over the watershed to Dikitera dam, down the Gwetera river to the starting point.
Functions of headman:
The court sits on Fridays and Sundays. Cases are accepted from the villages stated above and the cases include adultery, divorce, trespassing of cattle in lands and gardens, slander, quarrels etc. Appeals go to chief Nyamaropa.
Source: National Archives S2929/2/8
Research by Dr. Joshua Kumbani who is a seasoned academic in Aechaelogy and has lectured in a number of Universities in South Africa, Spain and German.
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