XIXᵉ siècle – XIXᵉ siècle
Southern Mozambique between the lower Zambezi and the Limpopo
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The Gaza Kingdom was founded in Mozambique by Soshangane, a former Ndwandwe general who broke away after the collapse of Zwide’s state. Based initially near Delagoa Bay and later centered at Chaimaite on the middle Sabi, Gaza incorporated Manyika, Ndau, Chopi, Tsonga, and other communities. Its power rested on military regiments, control of interior-coastal trade, and expeditions that captured people, cattle, and grain, though its warfare placed heavy pressure on southern Mozambique.
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Le récit
Soshangane was the first of Zwide’s generals to break away after the collapse of the Ndwandwe state. With a small following, he established himself in Tsonga country not far from Delagoa Bay. He defeated and subordinated groups including the Manyika, Ndau, and Chopi, incorporating them into his following and beginning the construction of a new kingdom.
Soshangane called his kingdom Gaza. In Mozambique, his followers became known as Shangana after their leader. Gaza regiments operated in several directions, capturing young men and women, cattle, and grain. The kingdom’s economic strength depended firmly on control of trade between the interior and Portuguese coastal settlements at Delagoa Bay.
Delagoa Bay served as an outlet for ivory and other goods from Nyaka’s kingdom, the Thembе, and Maputo states. By controlling this trade, Gaza gained access to commercial networks reaching across much of Natal and probably toward the eastern frontier of the Cape Colony. This economic position complemented the kingdom’s military expansion.
From his capital at Chaimaite on the middle Sabi, Soshangane’s regiments attacked surrounding chiefdoms and harassed eastern Shona states. The most sustained pressure fell on southern Mozambique, especially Tsonga communities. In 1826, Ndwandwe remnants from northern Zululand joined Soshangane’s people after Shaka defeated Sikunyane, the son of Zwide.
Gaza extended from the lower Zambezi to just south of the Limpopo. Its authority was backed by an army based on age-regiments and using military techniques associated with the Zulu army. The original Nguni followers formed a socially superior group known as ba-Nguni, while incorporated citizens were called ba-Tshangane. These groups were maintained in distinct regiments, with ba-Tshangane units placed under ba-Nguni officers.
XIXᵉ siècle – XIXᵉ siècle
Southern Mozambique between the lower Zambezi and the Limpopo
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Gaza Kingdom was founded in Mozambique by Soshangane, a former Ndwandwe general who broke away after the collapse of Zwide’s state. Based initially near Delagoa Bay and later centered at Chaimaite on the middle Sabi, Gaza incorporated Manyika, Ndau, Chopi, Tsonga, and other communities. Its power rested on military regiments, control of interior-coastal trade, and expeditions that captured people, cattle, and grain, though its warfare placed heavy pressure on southern Mozambique.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
Soshangane was the first of Zwide’s generals to break away after the collapse of the Ndwandwe state. With a small following, he established himself in Tsonga country not far from Delagoa Bay. He defeated and subordinated groups including the Manyika, Ndau, and Chopi, incorporating them into his following and beginning the construction of a new kingdom.
Soshangane called his kingdom Gaza. In Mozambique, his followers became known as Shangana after their leader. Gaza regiments operated in several directions, capturing young men and women, cattle, and grain. The kingdom’s economic strength depended firmly on control of trade between the interior and Portuguese coastal settlements at Delagoa Bay.
Delagoa Bay served as an outlet for ivory and other goods from Nyaka’s kingdom, the Thembе, and Maputo states. By controlling this trade, Gaza gained access to commercial networks reaching across much of Natal and probably toward the eastern frontier of the Cape Colony. This economic position complemented the kingdom’s military expansion.
From his capital at Chaimaite on the middle Sabi, Soshangane’s regiments attacked surrounding chiefdoms and harassed eastern Shona states. The most sustained pressure fell on southern Mozambique, especially Tsonga communities. In 1826, Ndwandwe remnants from northern Zululand joined Soshangane’s people after Shaka defeated Sikunyane, the son of Zwide.
Gaza extended from the lower Zambezi to just south of the Limpopo. Its authority was backed by an army based on age-regiments and using military techniques associated with the Zulu army. The original Nguni followers formed a socially superior group known as ba-Nguni, while incorporated citizens were called ba-Tshangane. These groups were maintained in distinct regiments, with ba-Tshangane units placed under ba-Nguni officers.
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