19th century – 20th century
Matabeleland and Mashonaland, Southern Africa
The Ndebele-Shona Chimurenga was a series of armed uprisings against the British South Africa Company and settler colonial rule in Matabeleland and Mashonaland. It began in Matabeleland in March 1896 and in Mashonaland in June, combining guerrilla warfare, armed resistance by African policemen and participation by local paramountcies and religious prophets. The Matabeleland phase ended in 1896–1898, while Shona resistance continued intermittently until 1903.
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The Story
The Chimurenga emerged amid land alienation, forced labour, taxation, arbitrary colonial justice and the disruption of African political authority. The first recorded casualty was an African policeman employed by the British South Africa Company, killed on 20 March 1896. Two days later, an attack at Essexvale killed seven Europeans and two Africans, after which the uprising spread rapidly through Matabeleland and Mashonaland.
African fighters used Martini-Henry rifles, Lee-Metford rifles, elephant guns, muskets and traditional weapons. The rebellion gained strength when African policemen deserted the Company with weapons and ammunition while many Company troopers were absent in South Africa during the Jameson Raid. The Company responded with the Matabeleland Relief Force, including imperial troops, settler volunteers and African auxiliaries under Sir Frederick Carrington.
In Matabeleland, the conflict lasted from March to December 1896 and imposed heavy costs on the Company. After the battle of Ntaba zika Mambo on 5 July, Cecil Rhodes sought negotiations rather than risk a prolonged war. Ndebele forces later negotiated through talks with Rhodes and the indunas, ending in an agreement in January 1898 that included Company appointments for six Chimurenga chiefs, land allocations and promises to address grievances.
The Shona Chimurenga continued intermittently until 1903. Its principal centres included the paramountcies of Mashayamombe, Makoni and Mangwende. Religious leaders known as svikiro, including Mukwati, Kagubi and Nehanda, linked political resistance with spiritual authority, condemned colonial burdens and coordinated communication across paramountcies. The uprising was eventually defeated piecemeal, and the source estimates approximately 8,000 African deaths alongside 450 European dead and 188 wounded.
19th century – 20th century
Matabeleland and Mashonaland, Southern Africa
The Ndebele-Shona Chimurenga was a series of armed uprisings against the British South Africa Company and settler colonial rule in Matabeleland and Mashonaland. It began in Matabeleland in March 1896 and in Mashonaland in June, combining guerrilla warfare, armed resistance by African policemen and participation by local paramountcies and religious prophets. The Matabeleland phase ended in 1896–1898, while Shona resistance continued intermittently until 1903.
Continue exploring
The Story
The Chimurenga emerged amid land alienation, forced labour, taxation, arbitrary colonial justice and the disruption of African political authority. The first recorded casualty was an African policeman employed by the British South Africa Company, killed on 20 March 1896. Two days later, an attack at Essexvale killed seven Europeans and two Africans, after which the uprising spread rapidly through Matabeleland and Mashonaland.
African fighters used Martini-Henry rifles, Lee-Metford rifles, elephant guns, muskets and traditional weapons. The rebellion gained strength when African policemen deserted the Company with weapons and ammunition while many Company troopers were absent in South Africa during the Jameson Raid. The Company responded with the Matabeleland Relief Force, including imperial troops, settler volunteers and African auxiliaries under Sir Frederick Carrington.
In Matabeleland, the conflict lasted from March to December 1896 and imposed heavy costs on the Company. After the battle of Ntaba zika Mambo on 5 July, Cecil Rhodes sought negotiations rather than risk a prolonged war. Ndebele forces later negotiated through talks with Rhodes and the indunas, ending in an agreement in January 1898 that included Company appointments for six Chimurenga chiefs, land allocations and promises to address grievances.
The Shona Chimurenga continued intermittently until 1903. Its principal centres included the paramountcies of Mashayamombe, Makoni and Mangwende. Religious leaders known as svikiro, including Mukwati, Kagubi and Nehanda, linked political resistance with spiritual authority, condemned colonial burdens and coordinated communication across paramountcies. The uprising was eventually defeated piecemeal, and the source estimates approximately 8,000 African deaths alongside 450 European dead and 188 wounded.