The economic organisation of the Mutapa State

• The following economic activities took place in the Mutapa State:

1. Cattle Herding

• The people kept large herds of cattle for meat, milk and hides.
• Cattle were also a symbol of wealth and they were also slaughtered at religious ceremonies and functions such as funerals.
• They were also a trade item that was used in both external and domestic trade.
• They were used to pay tribute to both the chiefs and the king.

2. Mining

• The Mutapa people mined gold, iron and copper.
• Gold was used to trade with foreign traders for goods.
• Iron was used to make iron tools such as hoes and axes for farming as well as weapons such as spears and arrowheads.
• Copper was used to make ornaments such as bangles and ceremonial spears.
• Mining was mostly done during the dry season.
• It was considered dangerous and laborious.

3 Crop cultivation

• They grew a variety of crops such as sorghum and millet
• These crops formed the staple diet of a thick porridge.
• They were also used to brew beer.
• Cultivation as oftentimes carried out in communal groups in a practice called nhimbe.
• Grain was harvested and stored in granaries for future use.

4 Trade

• The people practised internal and external trade.
• Long distance trade was carried out with the Swahili, Arabs and the Portuguese
• Foreign trade brought in needed goods and increased the wealth of the king allowing him to continue to rule and reward loyal subjects.
• The foreigners brought guns, cloth, beads and in exchange they got gold and other precious metals.
• Local trade was practised by families in order for them to get what they did not have for example grain, iron tools, pottery, salt, livestock and skins.

5 Tribute

• These were items given to the king by his subjects either directly or through chiefs as a sign of loyalty.
• Tribute was in the form of cattle, crops, skins, gold, ivory, labour etc.
• It made the king wealthy and allowed him to exert continued control over his subjects.

6 Craftwork

• Pottery making-pots were made for cooking and storing liquids such as drinking water and beer.
• Basket weaving was practised to make different types of mats, winnowing baskets etc.
• Blacksmiths made iron tools such as arrowheads, hoes and axe heads.
• Crafts were also used in external and internal trade.

7 Hunting and gathering

• Was used to complement the other economic activities.
• Men hunted game and supplied meat, hides and ivory.
• Women gathered fruit, vegetables and termites.

8 Other economic activities

• Taxation of  vashambadzi,European traders, hunters and tributary chiefs.
• Court fees and fines.

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