Professional Documents
Culture Documents
[Specimen]
11[a].State six factors that led to the rise of the Mutapa State. [6]
[c].How far did these economic activities contribute to the growth and expansion of
the Mutapa State?
[8]
The system of division of labour helped to promote the economy as different groups
played their part to enhance wealth—e,g men could concentrate on trade while
women produced food.
Control of trade by leaders gave them power and wealth which helped them dominate
other less wealthy groups.
Knowledge of iron making also gave power in terms of weapons and helped the
leading group to establish authority and even expand its influence over large areas
Resulting exhibition of power also enhanced growth and expansion when some
smaller ethnic groups voluntarily joined the Mutapa kingdom.
The king’s alleged religious powers were controlled through the chiefs representative
also enhanced growth
The military prowess of the nucleus group of Mutota helped to conquer other areas
and bring them under centralized authority.
[JUNE 2004]
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12. [a].Name any six rulers of the Mutapa state from the 15th century to the 17th century.
[6]
Kapararidze
Nyatsimba Mutota
Nyanhewe Matope
Nyahuma mukomberanwa
Mamvura Mhande
Nyakambire/Nyakunembire
Negomo Mapunzaguta
Gatsi Rusere
[c].How far did succession disputes contribute to the decline of the Mutapa state?[8]
The kingdom was too large, communication with all parts was difficult
Poor leadership of certain rulers-who lacked the charisma and military prowess –to
keep state united
Succession disputes-e.g. Portuguese against Gatsi Rusere, Mamvura Mhande
Interference form foreigners such as Swahili traders for better contracts from rulers
Later interference from Portuguese traders in the 16th/17th centuries who had influence
on rulers like Mamvura Mhande, Gatsi Rusere
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[June 2006]
[b].Describe the political system and the social system of the Mutapa state [8].
King was the highest official ,centre of government ,commander in chief of army,
chief judge, religious leader, distributor of land and booty
Important officials at chiefs court included army commanders, chancellor, head
drummer, head doorkeeper, head cook, king’s sister, Queen mother and the king’s
nine principal wives
Officials related to Mutapa State-divided into provinces under control of vassal chiefs
such as Uteve of Sofala, Sendada of Save, Chikanga of Manyika, and Makombe of
Barwe.
Vassal chiefs paid tribute to Mutapa
Vassal chiefs required to light fires every year from Mutapa’s fire
Also sent sons as ambassadors to Mutapa as sign of loyalty
Marriage alliances
Maintenance of an army as part of politics
[c].How important was religion in the political system of the Mutapa state? [8]
[Nov 2006]
14. [a].List any six items that were used to pay tribute in the Mutapa State. [6]
-Agricultural produce,-labour, -valuable skins, -gold, -cattle, -ivory, -iron hoes, -ostrich
feathers,-jewellery/beads, -guns, -ceramics, -foreign goods.
[i] Origins
[ii].Development/Expansion
[c].How important was the army in the expansion of the Mutapa State? [8]
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Suppression of rebellions
protecting the Mutapa
[Nov 2008]
16. [a].State any six provinces of the Mutapa State at the peak of its power. [6].
[b].Describe the rise and expansion of the Mutapa State up to 1480. [11]
1420 Mutota set out to Dande Region in search of salt ,gold, ivory, pastures, fertile
lands
Also to control trade route on Zambezi River.
Mutota conquered the Tonga, Tavara and Kore-kore of the Dande Region
Was given praise name ‘MweneMutapa’
Owner of the conquered lands which became a dynastic title
Mutota established the capital at Chitako Changonya near Mt Fura in Dande
Mutota died in 1450 before completing his expansionist policy
Religion enhanced unity e.g. Dzivaguru cult
In the east it was bounded by the Indian Ocean, in the west by the Kalahari Desert, in
the north by the Zambezi River, and in the south by the Limpopo River. Mutota and
Matope created a very vast empire had to appoint vassal chiefs to control provinces.
(c.) Did the people of the Mutapa State benefit from the expansion of the state
during the period? Explain your answer. [8]
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(ii.) NON-BENEFITS
Rebellions by vassal chiefs – caused deaths and destructions
Succession disputes by ambitious members of the royal family
Control of vast empire was difficult hindered by poor communication
Ordinary people and vassal chiefs had to pay tribute
Ordinary people fought in King’s armies and perished.
[Nov 2009]
17 (a.) Name any six rulers of the Mutapa State up to the 18th century. [6]
Nyatsimba Mutota
Nyanhewe Matope
Chikuyo Chisamarengu
Mavura Mande (Phillip)
Gatsi Rusere
Negomo Mapunzagutu (Sebastian)
Nyambo Kapararidze
Mukombwe
Chivhere Nyasoro
Nyahuma
Nyakunembire/Neshangwe
Nyamhita Nehanda
(b.) Describe the political and religious organization of the Mutapa State.
[11]
(i.) POLITICAL
The ruler was overall in charge, chief administrator, chief judge, commander
in chief of the army and distributor of land. [max of 3 duties]
Ruler was called by title Munhumutapa (Mwene Mutapa
Kingship was hereditary passing on to the eldest son after the death of the
King
The king was helped to rule by provincial rulers in the provinces
District chiefs were in charge of chiefdoms
The ruler had many officials such as court chamberlain, army commanders,
cooks, door-keeper, tax collectors, messengers, ambassadors. [max of 2]
Also important was the queen mother and the kings nine principal wives.
Lesser chiefs paid tribute to Mutapa as a sign of loyalty
The Mutapa also required lesser chiefs to light their fires from the King’s fire
annually (royal fire)
King also had an army to maintain law and order.
(ii.) RELIGIOUS
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The people of the Mutapa State believed in the creator God Mwari, National
Spirits (Mhondoros) and ancestral spirits. [MAX 3]
These were worshiped through the spirit mediums (masvikiro). Spirits played
an important role in the installation of kings (kings chosen by spirit mediums)
The Mutapas consulted spirit mediums in times of crises such as war, drought,
epidemics, succession disputes etc
Rainmaking ceremonies
Belief in life after death
Believed in witchcraft
(c.) How far did religion contribute to the stability of the state? [8]
(i.) importance of religion
Helped in choosing kings and in their installation
Were consulted by kings and chiefs in times of crises such as war and drought
Treating of ill people
Religious ceremonies such as rain making
Alliance with the Dzivaguru cult
(ii.) Other factors
The army for maintaining law and order
Tribute payment ensured the loyalty of lesser chiefs
Collection of royal fire also ensured loyalty to lesser chiefs
Stable economy meant a stable government
Trade
Raiding
Marriage alliances
Kuronzera
[Nov 2011]
18 [a].Name any six provinces of the Mutapa state. [6]
Chikoya, Madnda/Sedanda
Uteve/Quiteve, Manyika/Manica
Barwe, Dande-Chidima.
Mbire, Gururswa/ Butua
Fura, Sango
[b].Outline the military achievements of Mutota and the political system that he
developed in the Mutapa state. [11]
Military achievement of Mutota
In 1420, Mutota broke away from Great Zimbabwe as the head of the army
He conquered the Tonga, Tavara and Korekore of the Dande- Chidima areas of the
Zambezi Valley.
His name, Mutota meant that he controlled conquered lands
He used the army to establish a large state
He established his capital at Chitako Changinya Hill near Mt Fura
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