According to various sources, the original Nehanda was the daughter of Monomatapa Mutota if the Mutapa State
Her real name was Nyamhika but she became widely known as Nehanda
Mutota was the father of the Matope, making Matope and Nehanda half siblings
The incest ritual is said to have increased Matope’s power. When he became the Monomatapa, Matope gave his sister Nehanda a portion of his empire
The spirit Nehanda is a mhondoro (royal ancestral spirit) or "lion spirit" that uses women as mediums
The mediums are given the title NEHANDA
During periods of possession, spirit mediums speak with the voice and personality of the original Nehanda
Charwe Nyakasikana (1840 - 1898) was a well known medium of Mbuya Nehanda.
She was born in Chishawasha to Chitaura, son of Shayachimwe, founder of the Hwata dynasty in Mazowe.
She married and had two daughters and a son. No one knows the name of her husband
Nehanda was the spiritual wife of Kagubi, which explains their connection.
Kagubi, through his medium Gumboreshumba, is said to have persuaded Nehanda to preach the gospel of war resistance in Mashonaland, which led to the first Chimurenga.
But we're not there yet 😊
She was very central in the religious organisation of the Shona tribes in Zimbabwe
As the medium of the powerful Nehanda, she was the centre of communication between the living and the dead. She even had influence in the installation of chiefs and political figures
As the medium of the Great Nehanda, she was very respected and honored.
She led the traditional ceremonies and ancestral consultations.
All was good until White people happened...
But just like they did Lobengula’s people, it wasn’t long before they realised that the whites had lied
Spirit mediums were regarded as the voices of God/Mwari.
She told the natives not to be afraid as Mwari would turn the bullets of the white man into water
Colonialism got worse until the natives had had it. So in 1896-7 a rebellion happened (First Chimurenga)
Because of strong cultural beliefs of our people, the leading roles behind the rebellion were by three spirit mediums.
She was accused of murdering Henry Pollard, a brutal white commissioner who terrorised people in Mazowe
Henry violently beat up Chief Chiweshe for failing to report an outbreak of some cow disease (Rinderpest) among his herds
So they took an axe and chopped off his head
That’s how Charwe - Nehanda was charged with murder
The execution was authorized on behalf of the Queen
The warrant for Mbuya Nehanda’s death commanded that she be executed within the wall of the prison of Salisbury between the 6 and 10 pm.
He failed to convert Mbuya Nehanda but managed to convert Sekuru Gumboreshumba (Kagubi). He baptised him and renamed him Dismas, the good thief.
This was done and she was successfully hanged
Mbuya Nehanda was hanged in 1898. Apparently, she the tree she was hanged on was in present day Harare CBD.
Unfortunately kuthwa it was hit by a truck about 10 years ago 😔
Her remains were taken to London and displayed as war trophies in London museums
Also, if a person dies, apparently they can only rest if the body and soul have been buried in their native land
She “Mapfupa angu achamuka (My bones will rise again)” meaning they will rise again to fight the settlers
She also said, “Seize the gun and liberate yourselves” ✊
CLOSING QUOTE [Stolen from my novel]: "When The Grandmothers Speak, The Earth Will Heal"♥
THE END
*Typos... Please autocorrect as you read 😔
*If there's something I wrote that is false or if I left out important information, kindly comment 🙏