Mapungubwe - Southern Africa's oldest recognised Kingdom 1200 AD
Mapungubwe is located at the confluence of the Shahshe and Limpopo rivers on the border between South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The formation of the Kingdom is a significant event and which begins around 800-900 AD at a site known as Schroda. Schroda was a capital of the Zhizo people and the regional powerhouse for 100 years until circa 1000 AD when a new peoples appeared known as the Leopard's Kopje people (who were Bantu). The Leopard's Kopje people set up a new capital known as Bambandyanalo (or K2) not far from Schroda and Bambandyanalo quickly blossomed into the largest capital of the early Leopard's Kopje settlements in the Shashe Limpopo region, a new regional powerhouse.
The arrival of the new people was marked by the appearance of new ceramic styles and vessels at the Schroda and Bambandyanalo sites. The appearance of these ceramics is associated with the movement of a new group of people into the region, rather than an in-situ development. There were two regionally distinct variants of pottery styles in the area: a southern and northern expression. Leopard's Kopje ceramics represent the southern variant and occur throughout southern Matabeleland in Zimbabwe and the northern parts of the Limpopo Province in South showing the people had migrated south. It is thought that the Leopard's Kopje people were initially drawn into the Limpopo basin by the same promise of elephants and ivory that had attracted the Zhizo people but they had a secret weapon - they were also agro-pastoralists which means they grew crops and raised livestock.
Some the Zhizo people left (possibly fled) moving to Botswana (such as royalty and other members of the elite) but the ones that remained were assimilated into the K2 (Bambandyanalo) culture noted by the Zhizo ceramic style's continued existence – with some K2 (Bambandyanalo) stylistic and vessel shape influences - this style was known as Leokwe.
The Bambandyanalo settlement was organised around the cattle. Putting cattle in the center of the village was both practical and symbolic; a physical manifestation of the political and social importance of cattle to this kind of society. Cattle were used to pay fines, secure marriages (lobola), settle disputes and show fealty to the chief. Power was directly proportional to the number of cows owned. At Bambandyanalo the central cattle kraal is evidenced by substantial deposits of dung, with the remains of huts arranged around the periphery.
Between about AD 1060 and 1080 there are beginnings of a change into a new settlement pattern. The cattle were moved out of the central area of the settlement to make space for the chief and his extended family (Wood 2005:7) with their properties increasing in size. This is early development of what is known as the Zimbabwe Cattle Pattern (ZCP). This later settlement pattern showed a more refined spatial organisation, sprung out of wealth based on trade rather than cattle. The ZCP showed the earliest proof of a hierarchical society in Southern Africa, the wealth based was international trade with many trade brought greater riches and a more exclusive fortune due to the luxury goods in contrast to the previous cattle-based wealth. The function of the court changed from a place for all men to a place for commoners.
Bambandyanalo served as a major economic, trade and political centre for nearly two centuries, and was then later abandoned. This was because the people began to recognize the Chief as sacred - guided/ in contact with the ancestors and directly connected to the land, most likely due to the increased prosperity. The people became wealthy due to the trade boom mentioned above. By 1220 AD as socio-political processes in the valley climaxed in political and economic centralisation, the elite separated from the commoners moving to a hill known as Mapungubwe (situated a kilometre to the north of Bambandyanalo).
The chief became King once on the hill and by 1250 AD had brought the extended family to join the King on the hill and to ensure you could not gain direct access as the introduction of the extended family meant visitors would have to zig zag their way to the king paying respect to his family members. This is shows how sacred the King was thought to be, at this point is also thought the King was no longer visible to visitors and sat behind some sort of veil or curtain. The was also thought to have had a royal praiser - who alerted the commoner down below on the terrace of the King's activities.
Mapungubwe thrived as a Kingdom for until it was abandoned at about 1290/1300 AD. There is no clear reason why but it is assumed to be due to a drought. Interestingly around 1300 AD Great Zimbabwe begins to thrive however it must be noted Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe were contemporary (2 separate Kingdoms functioning during the same time period). Mapungubwe's decline did not birth Great Zimbabwe but did lead to Great Zimbabwe being more involved in th international trade.
References
Mapungubwe Reconsidered: A Living Legacy: Exploring Beyond the Rise By Shadreck Chirikure, Peter Delius, Amanda Esterhuysen, Simon Hall, Sekibakiba Lekgoathi, Maanda Maulaudzi, Vele Neluvhalani, Otsile Ntsoane, David Pearce, Karim Sadr, Jeanette Smith ZHIZO AND LEOKWE PERIOD HUMAN REMAINS AND BURIAL PRACTICES AT SCHRODA -ANNIE R. ANTONITES The Zimbabwe Culture: Origins and Decline of Southern Zambezian States By Innocent Pikirayi A Reassessment of the Human Skeletons from K2 and Mapungubwe (South Africa) - Maryna Steyn Ivarsson, E., 2007. A stratigraphical study of previous excavations at Bambandyanalo (K2) http://www.summerschool.uct.ac.za/sites/default/files/image_tool/images/4/2018SummerSchool/Huffman2000 Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape By David Fleminger
Images https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/07/british-museum-south-africa-host-800-year-old-treasure http://thegreentimes.co.za/mining-threatens-mapungubwe-heritage-site/ https://showme.co.za/pretoria/tourism/mapungubwe-collection-university-of-pretoria/
Our Standard Review
Date created: 16 Aug 2024 06:10:23
Critical Evaluation:
The article presents a detailed historical account of the Kingdom of Mapungubwe, tracing its origins and development through various cultural phases. The arguments made are generally coherent and logically structured, following a chronological timeline that helps readers understand the evolution of the society. The transition from the Zhizo people to the Leopard's Kopje people is well-articulated, supported by evidence such as the introduction of new ceramic styles, which indicates a cultural shift rather than mere evolution.
However, some arguments could be strengthened with more explicit connections between the evidence and the claims. For instance, while the article mentions the socio-political centralization by 1220 AD, it could elaborate on how this centralization directly influenced the daily lives of the common people. Additionally, the assertion that drought caused the decline of Mapungubwe is presented without sufficient evidence, leaving room for alternative explanations.
The article maintains a neutral tone, avoiding overt bias. It presents multiple perspectives, such as the assimilation of the Zhizo people into the K2 culture, which reflects a balanced view of historical interactions. The implications of these historical developments are significant, as they highlight the complexity of social structures and trade networks in early Southern Africa.
Quality of Information:
The language used in the article is accessible, making it suitable for a broad audience. Technical terms, such as "agro-pastoralists" (people who engage in both agriculture and livestock farming), are introduced in context, aiding comprehension. The information appears accurate, relying on archaeological and historical sources, which lends credibility to the narrative.
There are no apparent signs of fake news or logical fallacies, although the article could benefit from clearer citations for some claims, particularly regarding the socio-political changes and their impacts. Ethical standards seem to be followed, as the article does not misrepresent data or sources. The piece introduces some new insights into the cultural dynamics of the region, particularly the significance of cattle in social structure, rather than merely reiterating existing knowledge.
Use of Evidence and References:
The article references various scholarly works, which enhances its credibility. However, the quality and relevance of these sources could be better evaluated. For example, while the references to archaeological studies are pertinent, the article could improve by directly linking specific findings from these studies to the claims made in the text. There are gaps in evidence, particularly regarding the reasons for the decline of Mapungubwe and the transition to Great Zimbabwe, where more detailed archaeological or historical data would strengthen the argument.
Further Research and References:
Further exploration could focus on:
- The specific impacts of trade on the socio-economic structures of Mapungubwe.
- Comparative studies between Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe to understand their interactions.
- The role of environmental factors, such as climate change, in the rise and fall of ancient kingdoms in Southern Africa.
Recommended literature for deeper understanding includes:
- "The Zimbabwe Culture: Origins and Decline of Southern Zambezian States" by Innocent Pikirayi.
- "Mapungubwe Reconsidered: A Living Legacy: Exploring Beyond the Rise" edited by Shadreck Chirikure et al.
Questions for Further Research:
- What were the specific trade goods that contributed to the wealth of Mapungubwe?
- How did the social hierarchy in Mapungubwe compare to other contemporary kingdoms?
- What archaeological evidence supports the claim of drought leading to the decline of Mapungubwe?
- How did the cultural practices of the Zhizo people influence the Leopard's Kopje society?
- What role did women play in the socio-economic structures of Mapungubwe?
- How did the political organization of Mapungubwe evolve over time?
- What were the relationships between Mapungubwe and neighboring societies?
- How did the introduction of new pottery styles affect local economies?
- What archaeological methods were used to uncover the history of Mapungubwe?
- How did the religious beliefs of the Mapungubwe people shape their political structures?
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Contributor's Box
A (somewhat) summarised insight into (mostly) pre-colonial African history 🖤