Changamire
The ruler of Moyo clan & Rozwi (~Banyayi) state ruled by Chilisamhulu, son of Maluzapi, (other names: Nichisike, Nityisike, Nitjisike) roughly translates as "Lord Cha the creator", while Changamire is a non-Ikalanga derivation, which translates as Cha the king (from Arabic/Swahili emir or amir).
During the 17th century, relations of the Portuguese with the interior population, the Monomotapa became increasingly dependent on the Portuguese needing their support to suppress revolts. Followed by a series of disputes and acts of violence. Constantly forced to rely on Europeans to maintain their authority, all the rulers of the plateau and coastal regions Monomotapa, Barue, Manica, and Quiteve, but not Butwa.
In 1631, Capranzine and the people of Monomotapa and Manica found themselves in conflict, the Portuguese lost 400 of their own men and 6,000 African troops. They launched a successful counterattack in 1632: Capranzine was defeated and reportedly lost 12,000 men (according to Meneses), though Capranzine managed to escape. Once peace was restored, trade with the Portuguese resumed."
In 1644, the Portuguese and their vassal, after twice restoring Quiteve to his throne. An oath of allegiance dated October 23, 1644, the “Kingdom of Quiteve,”. Quiteve agreed to pay the Portuguese crown an annual tribute of one bar (235 kg) of ivory and recognized the right of Portuguese merchants to travel freely throughout his territory.
In 1645, the increased disorder and violence caused by the Portuguese presence in his country, the Monomotapas lodged a protest. These Portuguese merchants greatly harassed the locals, massacring them, wounding them, abducting their children and livestock. As a result, the main areas where gold mines are located were being depopulated, and the indigenous people are fleeing to distant territories. Seeing this, other chiefs, to avoid the inconveniences of such proximity to the Portuguese. The strive to conceal the mines on their lands. The elders of Monomotapa court kept insisting that they could resolve the situation but there was unrest in the Kingdom.
"And nowadays the elders, the Chiefs, and the Kings complain about the poor conduct of the Portuguese who, in their eagerness sell their goods, bring ruin to the land and to themselves."
The Monomotapa and his immediate neighbors gradually submitted to Portuguese sovereignty in the Zambezi Valley; African cultural structures were disrupted by European trade; and a military intervention by Butwa occurred in the northeast of the plateau at the end of the 17th century.
As early as 1683, the Monomotapas had closed the mines. However, it was not due to weakened and lacking authority over his subjects.
Commercial relations had been established between the Portuguese at the fort of Chipangura in Manica and Butwa. The Portuguese had developed the custom of sending the king an annual gift as tribute. Around the 1680s, the captain repeatedly failed to uphold this tradition. An ambassador sent to inquire was met with lashes. Changamira II of Butwa sent a second envoy, whose ears were cut off. This time, the Changamira lost patience and resolved to take revenge.
An initial clash with the Portuguese at Maungwe, in the lands of Manica between 1682 and 1686, proved inconclusive. Then, encouraged by Nhacuni-Mbire, Changamira attacked the feira of Dambarare in 1693, killing all the Portuguese present. The church was destroyed, the dead exhumed, and their bones burned. All remaining Portuguese on the plateau retreated to Tete to prepare a counteroffensive. With their support, Pedro Nheneenze the unsuccessful claimant to the Monomotapa Ne-Mbire throne managed to have Nhacuni-Mbire deposed.
Changamira II had a puppet King ready to be placed on the Monomotapa throne: Samutambo, a former claimant and rival of the deceased king. Initially hoping to gain the victor’s support, Samutambo had withdrawn in fear after witnessing the terrible devastation wroughted by the Rozwi. Changamira II ignored Samutambo hesitation and installed him anyway, ensuring that the Ne-Mbire was supervised by a Rozwi King:
“Mbire Clan seemed more of a subject of Moyo Clan”
All contact with Europeans was forbidden to Samutambo—whether for “peace, friendship, or commerce.” Samutambo residence was renamed from Zimbaué (court) to Muzinda (town). Gradually, he managed to evade Rozwi surveillance and secretly engage in trade with the Europeans. Eventually, gaining confidence, he displayed such independence which caught the attention of Changamira II.
Thereafter, Changamira II was able to at least temporarily impose his power over the Mutapa, Manyika, and Maungwe kingdoms. Along with his successors, he also expanded the hegemony of his "Rozwi Empire".
Changamira II, with whom the ex-king had sought refuge in hopes of gaining support, refused to assist him and instead chose to sack Manica. He took all the Portuguese residents of the region prisoner and brought them back to Butwa, where he gave them land and wives, asking only that they maintain his “palace.” Despite repeated efforts and the sending of lavish gifts, the captain of Sena was never able to secure the Portuguese prisoners release: Changamira II returned only “two vases full of gold.”
Changamira II died in 1696. As expected, a succession crisis followed, with rival claimants vying for power, leading to the dispersal of the army. Ultimately, Changamira’s son, Sebabee, prevailed and withdrew to Butwa with what remained of the forces, declaring his desire to make peace with the Portuguese.
After Changamira’s death, the fairs on the plateau would not be revived except for a brief resurgence around 1769 at Dambarare. Monomotapa and Manica became vassals of Butua.
In a letter to the King of Portugal dated September 23, 1694, the Viceroy of India noted, based on reports from Mozambique, that the disaster had indeed been caused by Portuguese abuses.
The Changamira wars at the end of the 17th century prevented the Portuguese from further reaching the interior of Southern Africa.
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