Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana: Early On African Colonial Resistance Inwards Zimbabwe Too Southern Africa

In traditional Zimbabwean in addition to South African culture, Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana (c. 1840–1898) is known equally a svikiro (spirit medium) and mhondoro (distinction category of royal ancestral spirit or "lion spirit"). The legacy of the Nehanda transcends national boundaries because her lore originates amid the pre-colonial Shona-speaking people of ancient Great Zimbabwe --  known to include both the Shona-speaking people in addition to Ndebele tribal family. A 1888 missionary map includes the mention of the hamlet Nehandas. 

When Nehanda Nyakasikana was born, she was considered to last the woman someone incarnation of the nifty oracle Nehanda. Also referred to equally "Mbuya Nehanda" in addition to "Mbuya Charwe", she is ordinarily referred to equally the grandmother of acquaint solar daytime Republic of Zimbabwe -- amid the early on African resistance to European colonialism inward the region. 

The earliest of European settlers began to migrate to the portion from U.K. during Nehanda Nyakasikana's rule. By 1894, the British imperialist had imposed what they termed the "hut tax" against the native populations consisting of both the Ndebele in addition to Shona people. In add-on to the "hut tax", the British began to impose forced relocation in addition to forced project camps. 

The military machine crusade to drive out the British was started yesteryear the Ndebele inward May 1896. The African resistance is known equally the Chimurenga War ("war of liberation"), too known equally the Second Matabele War in addition to the Matabele Rebellion. The Ndebele was joined yesteryear the Shona inward Oct 1896. The unique chemical ingredient of the Chimurenga War was the leading roles played yesteryear 3 traditional spiritual leaders or mhondoro: Mukwati inward Matabeleland, Kagubi inward western Mashonaland, in addition to Nehanda, the alone woman, inward Central in addition to Northern Mashonaland. 

In 1897, Nehanda Nyakasikana was captured at the war's cease in addition to charged amongst the murder of a local commissioner, held yesteryear commentators equally trumped upward charges. Nevertheless, she was constitute guilty in addition to hanged yesteryear say-so of the (British) High Commissioner for South Africa, led thus yesteryear Alfred Milner. The execution was endorsed yesteryear the (British) Imperial Secretary on March 28, 1898. The guess presiding over the execution was termed the "Hanging Judge" John Watermayer. Herbert Hayton Castens, Esq. served equally "Public Prosecutor Sovereign amongst the British South Africa Company territories, who prosecutes for in addition to on behalf of her majesty." The lore that arises from the populace hanging includes accounts of difficulty killing Nehanda Nyakasikana, along amongst her resounding statement: "Mapfupa angu achamuka! (my bones volition certainly rise!)".

When the nationalist liberation movements of the 1960s in addition to 1970s rose inward Africa, Zimbabwe's local guerrilla factions were raising the spirit of Nehanda inward their independence struggle. This included the likes of thus immature guerrilla factions nether Robert Mugabe's Republic of Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU) in addition to Joshua Nkomo's Republic of Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU). Both ZANU in addition to ZAPU were opposed to the thus ruling United African National Council nether leadership of Bishop Abel Muzorewa.

"If Nehanda were last today," said Robert Mugabe inward 1979, "there is no uncertainty she would last a fellow member of the Patriotic Front." 

• Revolt inward Southern Rhodesia, 1896-7: H5N1 Study inward African Resistance, Terence O. Ranger, Heinemann, 1984. Available at Amazon.com. 
• The Struggle for Zimbabwe: The Chimurenga War, David Martin & Phyllis Johnson, Republic of Zimbabwe Publishing House, 1981. Available at Amazon.com.