The history of Zimbabwe is long and complex, marked by ancient civilizations, powerful
kingdoms, colonial rule, and a hard-won struggle for independence.
Early History and Pre-Colonial Kingdoms:
● Ancient Inhabitants: The region now known as Zimbabwe has been inhabited for
thousands of years. The earliest known inhabitants were ancestors of the San people,
who were hunter-gatherers and left behind a rich legacy of rock art.
● Bantu Migrations: Around 2000 years ago, Bantu-speaking farmers began migrating
into the region from the north, bringing with them ironworking and agricultural skills.
These groups developed ceramic production and established early Iron Age
communities.
● Rise of Trading Empires: A series of sophisticated trading states emerged in the
region.
○ Kingdom of Mapungubwe (c. 10th-13th centuries AD): Located in the
Shashe-Limpopo area, Mapungubwe was a significant center of trade,
exchanging gold, ivory, and copper for goods like cloth and glass from Arab
merchants on the Indian Ocean coast.
○ Great Zimbabwe (c. 11th-15th centuries AD): This impressive stone city, from
which the country derives its name, rose to prominence after Mapungubwe.
Great Zimbabwe was the capital of a powerful Shona kingdom that controlled
vast trade networks and demonstrated advanced architectural skills. The iconic
soapstone birds found at the ruins are a national symbol.
○ Mutapa Kingdom (c. 15th-18th centuries AD): After the decline of Great
Zimbabwe, the Mutapa Kingdom emerged, extending its influence over much of
the Zimbabwean plateau and parts of Mozambique. They continued to engage in
trade with Portuguese merchants who arrived in the 16th century.
○ Rozvi Empire (c. late 17th-19th centuries AD): The Rozvi (meaning
"destroyers") rose to challenge the Mutapa, expelling the Portuguese from the
plateau in 1683 and establishing their own powerful state known for its military
strength and cattle wealth.
● Ndebele Arrival (19th Century): Around 1821, the Zulu general Mzilikazi, rebelling
against King Shaka, led his Khumalo clan (who became known as the Ndebele)
northward into the region, establishing the Ndebele Kingdom in what is now
Matabeleland. They brought with them a centralized and militaristic society, often
incorporating or exacting tribute from Shona subjects.
Colonial Rule (Southern Rhodesia):
● Cecil Rhodes and the BSAC (late 19th century): In the 1880s, British diamond
magnate Cecil Rhodes' British South Africa Company (BSAC) began to make inroads
into the region. Through treaties and ultimately force, particularly the Rudd Concession
(1888) which granted mining rights, Rhodes gained control.
● Establishment of Rhodesia: In 1890, the "Pioneer Column" arrived, and the territory
was named Rhodesia in honor of Cecil Rhodes in 1895. The region south of the
Zambezi became Southern Rhodesia (modern-day Zimbabwe), and the region to the
north became Northern Rhodesia (modern-day Zambia).
● First Chimurenga (1896-1897): Both the Ndebele and Shona peoples resisted British
colonization in what is known as the First Chimurenga, but these rebellions were
ultimately suppressed.
● Self-governing Colony: In 1923, white settlers in Southern Rhodesia voted to end
BSAC rule, and the territory became a self-governing British colony, albeit under a white
minority government.
● Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland: In 1953, Britain formed the Central African
Federation, comprising Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland
(Malawi), largely to consolidate white power and economic interests. This federation was
dissolved in 1963.
● Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) (1965): To avoid majority rule, the white
minority government led by Prime Minister Ian Smith unilaterally declared independence
from Britain as Rhodesia. This move sparked international outrage and led to UN
economic sanctions.
● Second Chimurenga (Liberation War): A protracted guerrilla war for black majority rule
ensued, with rival nationalist parties ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union), led by
Robert Mugabe, and ZAPU (Zimbabwe African People's Union), led by Joshua Nkomo,
orchestrating the fight from neighboring countries.
Independence and Post-Independence Zimbabwe:
● Lancaster House Agreement (1979): Britain brokered a peace agreement and a new
constitution, paving the way for internationally recognized independence.
● Independence (1980): On April 18, 1980, Zimbabwe gained independence. Robert
Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party won the first democratic elections, and Mugabe became
the country's first prime minister.
● Early Years of Independence: The early years were marked by a focus on
reconciliation, land redistribution (though this process faced significant challenges), and
expanded access to education and healthcare for the black majority.
● Gukurahundi (1980s): A dark period in Zimbabwe's history, the Gukurahundi
massacres saw the North Korea-trained Fifth Brigade suppress an insurgency in
Matabeleland, leading to the deaths of thousands of civilians, primarily Ndebele.
● Unity Accord (1987): Mugabe and Nkomo signed a unity agreement, merging their
parties into ZANU-PF, and Mugabe became executive president.
● Economic Challenges and Land Reform (2000s onwards): The 2000s saw a
significant deterioration of Zimbabwe's economy, marked by hyperinflation,
unemployment, and international isolation. The Fast Track Land Reform Program, which
involved the forceful seizure of white-owned commercial farms, contributed to economic
instability and further strained international relations.
● Political Shifts and Leadership Transition (2017): After decades in power, Robert
Mugabe was removed from office in November 2017 following military intervention. His
former vice president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, became the new president.
● Current Challenges: Zimbabwe continues to grapple with economic challenges, issues
of governance, human rights concerns, and efforts to attract foreign investment and
promote growth.
