# Great Zimbabwe's Mambo Chikanda and the 1345 Famine Response

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/great-zimbabwe-the-lost-african-kingdom-of-stone-fexingo-history-7829648/great-zimbabwe-s-mambo-chikanda-and-the-1345-famine-response
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/great-zimbabwe-the-lost-african-kingdom-of-stone-fexingo-history-7829648/great-zimbabwe-s-mambo-chikanda-and-the-1345-famine-response.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: 2026-07-01T00:42:57+00:00
Episode link: https://audio.fexingo.com/history/great-zimbabwe/episode-0132.mp3
Audio file: https://audio.fexingo.com/history/great-zimbabwe/episode-0132.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-s-mambo-chikanda-and-the-1345-famine-response
Duration seconds: 406

## Resource

In 1345, a devastating drought struck the Zimbabwe Plateau, threatening the survival of Great Zimbabwe's 18,000 inhabitants. This episode follows Mambo Chikanda's unprecedented response: opening the royal grain stores, suspending the muraya tax, and sending emissaries to the Mwari oracle at Matopo Hills. We examine the spiritual crisis that accompanied the famine — how the svikiro spirit mediums blamed the king for breaking taboos, and how Chikanda's pragmatic policies may have actually strengthened his rule. The episode also explores the role of the danga cattle system as a buffer against famine, and the limits of even the wealthiest kingdom when the rains failed. A story of leadership tested by nature, and the resilience of the vaShona people. #GreatZimbabwe #MamboChikanda #1345Famine #vaShona #svikiro #mhondoro #Mwari #MatopoHills #danga #muraya #dhlandhlo #nganga #ZimbabwePlateau #14thCentury #SouthernAfrica #History #FexingoHistory #Drought Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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## Transcript

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