By Princess Eugene Majuru
Harare, Zimbabwe’s bustling capital, is often thought of as a city without a royal lineage. Historical narratives frequently suggest that colonialism erased traditional leadership structures, and that the land, once home to the Mbari clan, lacks any formal chieftainship. This perspective, however, is both incomplete and misleading. The reality is that the Mbari clan—the royal family of Harare—still exists, thriving despite centuries of adversity, and is now actively reclaiming its heritage.
Colonial Disruption and the Erasure of Traditional Authority
The story of the Mbari clan is inseparable from Zimbabwe’s colonial history. During the British conquest and occupation, many indigenous governance systems were disrupted, and ancestral lands were seized. The Mbari, like many other royal lineages, suffered systematic attempts at erasure—through cultural suppression, psychological manipulation, and even physical violence. Colonial authorities attempted to sever the links between the people and their royal lineage, presenting a narrative that Harare no longer had a ruling family.
Yet, such efforts were only partially successful. While colonialism disrupted the formal structures of Mbari chieftainship, it could not erase the clan itself. The descendants of the Mbari survived, maintained cultural practices, and preserved oral histories that kept the identity of the royal family alive.
Survival and Resilience of the Mbari Clan
The survival of the Mbari clan is a testament to resilience in the face of extreme adversity. Despite attempts at genocide and cultural annihilation, the clan not only survived but flourished. Over generations, they multiplied across Zimbabwe, holding onto a collective memory of their royal status and ancestral land. This survival challenges the colonial narrative that sought to erase the existence of the royal family of Harare.
It is crucial to recognize that denying the Mbari clan’s existence is equivalent to denying the reality of the people themselves. To say Harare has no royal family ignores both history and the living descendants of the Mbari.
Reclaiming Heritage and Chieftainship
Today, the Mbari clan is actively working to restore its traditional authority and cultural heritage. The process of calling for the reestablishment of their chieftainship is underway, reflecting both a reclaiming of history and an assertion of identity. This effort is not merely symbolic; it is a tangible restoration of leadership and recognition of the clan’s historical and cultural significance in Harare.
The resurgence of the Mbari clan’s influence also represents a broader movement within Zimbabwe to acknowledge and revive indigenous governance systems that were disrupted during colonialism. By reclaiming their rightful place, the Mbari are ensuring that the story of Harare is complete—acknowledging both the challenges of the past and the promise of the future.
The narrative that Harare has no royal family is a misconception rooted in colonial history and persistent ignorance. The Mbari clan is living proof that the royal lineage of Harare has survived, multiplied, and is now poised to reclaim its rightful heritage. Far from being a relic of the past, the Mbari represent continuity, resilience, and the enduring presence of traditional authority in Zimbabwe. Their efforts to restore chieftainship are not only a matter of historical justice but a vital affirmation of identity, culture, and communal memory.
Harare’s royal family may have been silenced, but it has never truly disappeared. The Mbari are here, and their story is only beginning to be fully told.
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