By HRH Princess Eugene Majuru
Long before the arrival of the British in 1890s Southern Rhodesia, the city of Harare then a thriving hub in the land that would later become Zimbabwe was under the sovereign rule of King Mbari of the Shumba Gurundoro. Renowned across Africa for his formidable physical and spiritual prowess, King Mbari’s authority extended far beyond the boundaries of his immediate territory. Travelers and emissaries came from distant lands seeking his wisdom, guidance, and protection. His leadership was not merely political; it was deeply spiritual, and the Mbari clan’s ancestral authority still resonates in Harare today, shaping events and safeguarding the land.
The arrival of the British colonizers in Harare in 1892 occurred well after King Mbari had passed, during the rule of King Makombe. This chronological reality is crucial for correcting historical misrepresentations propagated by neighboring clans, such as the Hwata and Ske, who claim to have engaged in conflicts with King Mbari. Historical evidence demonstrates they never encountered him in their lifetimes. These false narratives, whether deliberate or born of oral misunderstandings, serve to obscure the true legacy of Harare’s original rulers.
Colonial intervention drastically disrupted the continuity of Harare’s chieftaincy. The non-resuscitation of traditional authority has left the land vulnerable to the encroachment of outside cultures and opportunists, who often attempt to claim legitimacy over the territory without understanding or respecting its spiritual and cultural heritage. Some groups have even engaged in acts of spiritual impersonation—an affront in Zimbabwean culture highlighting a broader ignorance or disregard for the traditions that underpin land stewardship and authority.
The erasure of King Mbari’s status from colonial records is a deliberate historical distortion. British documentation, in its attempt to dismantle African governance structures, downgraded many kings to mere chiefs, obscuring the profound political and spiritual power they wielded. King Mbari was not just a local ruler; he was a King of Kings, responsible for installing chiefs and receiving allegiance from numerous leaders across the region. While the British records acknowledged only “paramount chiefs,” oral history, ancestral memory, and regional recognition affirm the true majesty of King Mbari. This phenomenon was not unique to Harare—other prominent African leaders, such as Mzilikazi of the Ndebele and the Mwenemutapa rulers, did not experience similar downgrading in colonial histories.
Reclaiming this heritage is not only about correcting historical narratives it is about restoring authority, identity, and dignity. The responsibility lies with African descendants, who must explore, document, and restore the legacy disrupted by colonial powers. The British, having destroyed kingdoms and rewritten histories, will not return to restore what was lost; it is therefore the duty of the rightful heirs to revive and honour the authority of their forebears.
In doing so, Zimbabweans engage not merely in historical reclamation but in spiritual and cultural reaffirmation. The Mbari clan, whose ancestors continue to assert influence, embodies the resilience of Harare’s true heritage. By asserting historical truth and spiritual authority, the people of Zimbabwe can reclaim the integrity of their past, ensuring that the stories of King Mbari, his kingdom, and his contributions to the African continent are properly acknowledged and celebrated for generations to come.
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