The Founding of the Mutapa State

The Founding of the Mutapa State

• Mutota conquered the Tavaran people in the Mukaranga region and adopted their religion.

• The Tavarans called him "Mwenemutapa"- the conqueror.

• Mutota took it as his official title, becoming the Monomutapa of the new Mutapa state.

Expanding the Empire

• Mutota died and was succeeded by his son, Nyanhewhe Mutope.

• As Monomutapa, Mutope would conquer territory and create the Mutapa Empire.

• He conquered the Regions of Manica, Barwe, Uteve, Guruhuswa and Danda creating an empire, by 1508, that stretched from Botswana, across Zimbabwe and into Mozambique to the Indian Ocean.

Distinguishing between the Mutapa State and the Mutapa Empire.

• Historians see the State and the Empire as two different things.

• The Mutapa State made up the land around Zvongombe initially settled by Mutota.

• The Empire refers to the regions conquered by Matope and later Monomutapa.

Multiple Choice

What does Monomutapa mean?

• Fancy hotel

• King

• Conqueror

• Powerful

Poll

Do you think Mutota was clever by adopting the religion of the Tavaran people he had conquered?

• Absolutely, he had just conquered them. To prevent uprisings he had to keep them happy. It helped if he could tell them he was chosen by god.

• No, because he went against his beliefs.