Background
Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana was born in 1840. She was the daughter of Chitaura, who was the younger son of Shayachimwe. Shayachimwe founded the Hwata dynasty in the upper Mazowe valley in the late eighteenth century.
Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana was born in 1840. She was the daughter of Chitaura, who was the younger son of Shayachimwe. Shayachimwe founded the Hwata dynasty in the upper Mazowe valley in the late eighteenth century.
The earliest European settlers began to migrate to the region from Britain during Nehanda Nyakasikana's rule. By 1894, the British imperialist had imposed what they termed the "hut tax" against the native populations consisting of both the Ndebele and Shona people. In addition to the "hut tax", the British began to impose forced relocation and forced labor camps.
The military campaign to drive out the British was started by the Ndebele in May 1896. The African resistance is known as the Chimurenga War ("war of liberation"), also known as the Second Matabele War and the Matabele Rebellion. The Ndebele was joined by the Shona in October 1896. The unique element of the Chimurenga War was the leading roles played by three traditional spiritual leaders or mhondoro: Mukwati in Matabeleland, Kagubi in western Mashonaland, and Nehanda, the only woman, in Central and Northern Mashonaland.
In 1897, Nehanda Nyakasikana was captured at the war's end and charged with the murder of a local commissioner, held by commentators as trumped-up charges. Nevertheless, she was found guilty and hanged by the authority of the (British) High Commissioner for South Africa, led then by Alfred Milner. The execution was endorsed by the (British) Imperial Secretary on March 28, 1898. The judge presiding over the execution was termed the "Hanging Judge" John Watermayer. Herbert Hayton Castens, Esq. served as "Public Prosecutor Sovereign with the British South Africa Company territories, who prosecutes for and on behalf of her majesty." The lore that arises from the public hanging includes accounts of difficulty killing Nehanda Nyakasikana, along with her resounding statement: "Mapfupa angu achamuka! (my bones will surely rise!)."
Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana refused to convert to Christianity when she was sentenced to death by the British, promising her bones would rise up and continue the fight.
Nehanda inspired her people to rise up against the colonizers and drive them out of Zimbabwe. This was the first popular countrywide armed struggle against British colonization. The British retaliated and killed many villagers. However, Nehanda maintained her strength and leadership. Everyone, including men, accepted Nehanda’s leadership and she was able to unite all the people of Zimbabwe, from both Matebeleland and Mashonaland.
Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana was married and had two daughters and a son.
