# Great Zimbabwe's Mambo Chikanda and the Mbira Purge of 1335

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/great-zimbabwe-the-lost-african-kingdom-of-stone-fexingo-history-7829648/great-zimbabwe-s-mambo-chikanda-and-the-mbira-purge-of-1335
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/great-zimbabwe-the-lost-african-kingdom-of-stone-fexingo-history-7829648/great-zimbabwe-s-mambo-chikanda-and-the-mbira-purge-of-1335.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: 2026-06-30T00:46:26+00:00
Episode link: https://audio.fexingo.com/history/great-zimbabwe/episode-0130.mp3
Audio file: https://audio.fexingo.com/history/great-zimbabwe/episode-0130.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-mbira-purge-of-1335
Duration seconds: 422

## Resource

In 1335, Mambo Chikanda of Great Zimbabwe launched a brutal crackdown on mbira players, whom he saw as subversive. This episode explores the sacred and political role of the mbira in vaShona society, the rebellion it sparked, and the lasting cultural impact of Chikanda's decree. We delve into the svikiro spirit mediums, the mhondoro ancestral spirits, and the tension between royal authority and spiritual tradition. Learn how the mbira, far from mere entertainment, was a conduit for Mwari and a voice of the people. #GreatZimbabwe #MamboChikanda #Mbira #vaShona #svikiro #mhondoro #Mwari #spiritMediums #1335 #SouthernAfrica #AfricanHistory #MusicAndPower #OralTradition #CulturalResistance #ZimbabwePlateau #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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## Transcript

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