MWENEMUTAPA KINGDOM (1430-1760)
Mwenemutapa, (Shona: Mwene we Mutapa, Portuguese: Monomotapa) – was an African empire covering vast territories in what are now modern day Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and South Africa.
The Portuguese term Monomotapa is a transliteration of the African royal title Mwenemutapa derived from a combination of two words Mwene meaning King or Lord, and Mutapa meaning land.
Mwenemutapa kingdom was founded by Nyatsimba Mutota. Its capital city was called Zvongombe. The king’s title was Mwene.
REASONS FOR THE RISE OF MWENEMUTAPA
1. Agricultural activities
2. Good leadership of Mutota.
3. Availability of valuable goods e.g. copper, iron and gold
4. They controlled trade routes
REASONS FOR THE DECLINE OF MWENEMUTAPA
1. The arrival of Portuguese who monopolized the gold trade
2. The kingdom became divided into two parts Mutapa and Rozwi
3. Rebellion from local people
