Nehanda Nyakasikana

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Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana (c1840-1898) was a svikiro, or spirit medium of the Zezuru Shona people. As one of the spiritual leaders of the Shona, she provided inspiration for their revolt against the Rhodesian colonization of Zimbabwe. She and her ally Kaguvi were eventually captured and executed by the British.^[1]

[edit] History

The spirit Nehanda is said to be the mhondoro or "lion spirit" of one of the daughters of Mutota Nyatsimba, who is said to have ruled as the first leader of the Munhumutapa state.^[2]

As medium of the spirit Nehanda, Nyakasikana performed traditional ceremonies that were thought to ensure rain and good crops, as well as making oracular pronouncements. Nyakasikana at first promoted good relations between the Zezuru people and early European pioneers. However, following the imposition of a "Hut Tax" and other tax assessments in 1894, both the Ndebele and Shona people revolted in June 1896, in a rebellion which, in Mashonaland at least, was encouraged by traditional religious leaders including Nyakasikana. After the end of the rebellion in 1897, Nyakasikana was tried and executed.

[edit] Legacy

Nehanda’s heroism became a significant source of inspiration in the nationalist struggle for liberation in the 1960s and 1970s. Her name is now usually prefixed by the respectful title of Mbuya, or grandmother. The maternity section of Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare is named after her. The College of Health Sciences of the University of Zimbabwe is located there as well.