# Great Zimbabwe: Mambo Chikanda and the Gold Embargo of 1320

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/great-zimbabwe-the-lost-african-kingdom-of-stone-fexingo-history-7829648/great-zimbabwe-mambo-chikanda-and-the-gold-embargo-of-1320
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/great-zimbabwe-the-lost-african-kingdom-of-stone-fexingo-history-7829648/great-zimbabwe-mambo-chikanda-and-the-gold-embargo-of-1320.md
Podcast: [Great Zimbabwe: The Lost African Kingdom of Stone — Fexingo History](https://stenobird.com/podcast/great-zimbabwe-the-lost-african-kingdom-of-stone-fexingo-history-7829648)
Published: 2026-06-14T00:26:17+00:00
Episode link: https://audio.fexingo.com/history/great-zimbabwe/episode-0098.mp3
Audio file: https://audio.fexingo.com/history/great-zimbabwe/episode-0098.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/great-zimbabwe-the-lost-african-kingdom-of-stone-fexingo-history-7829648/episodes/great-zimbabwe-mambo-chikanda-and-the-gold-embargo-of-1320
Duration seconds: 332

## Resource

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the untold story of Mambo Chikanda's bold economic gamble: the gold embargo of 1320. As the ruler of Great Zimbabwe, Chikanda cut off the flow of gold to Indian Ocean ports like Sofala and Kilwa in an attempt to force favorable trade terms and assert sovereignty. Lucas explains how this embargo backfired, leading to a rift with the Rozvi and a secret alliance between the nganga and merchants. The conversation also delves into the role of the vaShona ancestors, the mhondoro, and how Chikanda's move reshaped power dynamics. Discover the tensions between the mambo, the spirit mediums, and the coastal traders in this pivotal moment of Southern African history. #GreatZimbabwe #MamboChikanda #GoldEmbargo #Sofala #Kilwa #vaShona #Rozvi #nganga #mhondoro #Mwari #IndianOceanTrade #1320 #SouthernAfrica #ZimbabweBird #HillComplex #GreatEnclosure #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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## Transcript

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