1. THE IMPACT OF COLONIAL BORDERS ON VARIOUS CLANS IN ZIMBABWE
A short thread
In the last thread we established that after the defeat of King Lobhengula in 1893-4 the territories under Cecil John Rhodes became known as Zambesia. Southern Rhodesia was later created in 1923.
A short thread
In the last thread we established that after the defeat of King Lobhengula in 1893-4 the territories under Cecil John Rhodes became known as Zambesia. Southern Rhodesia was later created in 1923.
2. Many clans, chiefaincies & kingdoms were affected by the creation of the borders. By the stroke of a pen they woke up in different 'countries'. The countries sharing borders with Zimbabwe are Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique & South Africa.
3. ZAMBIA BORDER : The border with Zambia seperated the Tonga people who were only divided by the Zambezi river from the Tonga in Zambia.The construction of the Kariba dam in 1959 further cut off the Tonga in Zambia from those in Zimbabwe. Both territories were under the Rhodes.
4. BOTSWANA BORDER : This border seperated the Kalanga & Tswana/BaBirwa in Zimbabwe from their relatives who are accross the border in Botswana. The border was settled by the British who controlled both territories.
5. SOUTH AFRICAN BORDER : This border seperated the Venda people in south eastern Zimbabwe from their people in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The border was established at the London Convention of 1884.
6. MOZAMBIQUE BORDER : This border seperated the Manyika people in the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe from their relatives who are now accross in Mozambique. The final border was settled between the British & the Portuguese.
7. Border citizens are found accross Africa.They defy national borders & continue to cross the borders informally. They interact with their clans accross the borders for family gatherings, clan rituals or spiritual pilgrimages to religious shrines.
