The Economic Organization of the Ndebele State

Cattle were important in the Ndebele State’s economy. Image credit heifer.org

• The main economic activity of the Ndebele state was raiding
• Raiding was done by the army and they raided for cattle, grain and women
• The raids were conducted in Mashonaland, Zambezi and as far as Zambia
• The Ndebele also practiced crop cultivation
• They grew crops such as such as millet, sorghum and Rapoko
• Land in the state was distributed by the Induna Enkulu and the chiefs
• Ndebele subjects provided labour in the King’s field and communal work parties called Ilima were done.
• Produce from agriculture was used for trade, ceremonies and payment of tribute.
• The Ndebele practiced livestock production
• They kept cattle, sheep, poultry
• The king had the largest herd of cattle and he distributed cattle in the land through the Ukugalisa system
• Cattle was used to pay lobola, trade, tribute and as rewards to subjects
• The Ndebele lived  nomadic life in search of pastures
• They did trade with the whites and internally with local people like Mashayamombe
• The Ndebele got exotic item such as beads and clothes
• Trade was done with done with the missionaries based at Inyathi and with hunters, for example, John Lee and Wilson Asher as well as the Portuguese.
• Ndebele subjects paid tribute to the King as a sign of loyalty and allegiance to show respect to the King.
• The Shona tribe of the Chirimuhanzu dynasty also paid tribute to the Ndebele king in the inform of spears, hides, clothes and beads
• Those who refused to pay tribute were
• Hunting was also practised by the Ndebele to get ivory to be used for external trade.
• The Ndebele mined gold and iron for external trade
• Iron was also used for making iron tools
• Basketry, pottery making and weaving were also done by the Ndebele

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