A list of the Rulers of Mutapa state
A stamp showing a Portoguese impression of the Mutapa Gatsi Rusere. Notice the decidedly European features. Image credit stampdata.com ZIMSEC History O Level Notes: Mutapa State: A List of the rulers of […]
February 2025
The Officials found at Mutapa court
A modern day spirit medium. Image credit blogspot.com ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: The Officials found at Mutapa Court
The following officials were found at the Mutapa court in the Mutapa kingdom.
- The Mutapa himself.
- The Governor of Provinces (Nengomasha) who was in fact the king’s […]
Missionary organisations and their mission stations
Anglicans still gather at Bernard Mizeki in Marondera. Image credit relzim.org ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: Missionaries: Missionary organisations and their mission stations
To access more topics go to the History Notes page.
A list of known Mhondoros/Svikiros in the Mutapa Kingdom
Nyakasikana the last known medium of Nehanda.
ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: The Mutapa Kingdom: A list of known Mhondoros/Svikiros in the Mutapa Kingdom
- Mhondoros were the national spirit mediums/ancestral spirits in the Mutapa state
- They were usually made up of royal ancestral spirits
- The word svikiro comes from a Shona verb (infinitive) kusvika which […]
Causes of Mfecane/Difaqane
Zulu soldiers at a village kraal. Image credit MediaWiki
ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: Crisis in Nguniland: The Mfecane
- Rapid population growth resulted on competition for land which was needed for agricultural, grazing and residential purposes
- This led to over-cultivation of soils and later soil erosion
- Bigger and powerful states like the […]
The Social Organization of the Ndebele State
Ndebele Caste system
ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: The Ndebele State:The Social Organization of the Ndebele State
- The Ndebele state was organized in a caste system. A caste system is a system of class determined by birth meaning if you are born in a poor family you will also be poor
- The […]
Conditions in Africa that led to colonisation
A map of Africa before partition
ZIMSEC O Level History Notes:Scramble and Partition of Africa:Conditions in Africa that led to colonisation
- Explorers and adventurers had produced reports of economic potential in Africa invited many European countries to rush to acquire colonies
- Traders operating in Africa called upon their mother governments to […]
The First Chimurenga: Shona Uprising
Nehanda(left) and Kaguvi(right) Heroes of the First Chimurenga
ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: Colonisation of Zimbabwe: Shona Uprisings
- It surprised the settlers because they thought the Shona had welcomed colonialism as it protected them from raids by the Ndebele
- The Shona were also seen as weak, disunited and having no organized society
[…]
Labour Issues in Rhodesia 1894-1969
Black railway workers during colonial times.
ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: Zimbabwe 1894-1969: Labour Issues in Rhodesia 1894-1969
- Labour was needed to support the colonialist economic activities such as mining, farming industrialization among others
- Settlers wanted healthy and able-bodied labour which could be provided by Africans
- The huge supply of readily […]
Mining Monopoly and its Effects in South Africa
Workers for the De Beers company
ZIMSEC O Level History Notes: South Africa 1867 – 1910: Mining Monopoly and its Effects
- The Wernher-Beit provided the capital to purchase all necessary claims
- Its agent locally was Cecil John Rhodes who had been attracted by the adventures of mining in Africa
- The capital […]