# Great Zimbabwe's Mambo Nemakonde and the Poison Ordeal of Succession

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/great-zimbabwe-the-lost-african-kingdom-of-stone-fexingo-history-7829648/great-zimbabwe-s-mambo-nemakonde-and-the-poison-ordeal-of-succession
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/great-zimbabwe-the-lost-african-kingdom-of-stone-fexingo-history-7829648/great-zimbabwe-s-mambo-nemakonde-and-the-poison-ordeal-of-succession.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: 2026-06-07T00:20:14+00:00
Episode link: https://audio.fexingo.com/history/great-zimbabwe/episode-0083.mp3
Audio file: https://audio.fexingo.com/history/great-zimbabwe/episode-0083.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-nemakonde-and-the-poison-ordeal-of-succession
Duration seconds: 374

## Resource

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the shadowy succession crisis that gripped Great Zimbabwe after the death of Mambo Chisamuturu in 1260. They delve into the muraya poison ordeal, a brutal test of legitimacy where royal candidates were forced to drink a lethal brew made from the mupfura tree. Lucas explains how the svikiro spirit mediums and nganga diviners orchestrated the ritual, and how the Rozvi clan's influence tipped the scales. The episode also covers the rise of Mambo Nemakonde and the role of the mhondoro lion spirits in validating his rule. Specific details include the use of umhobe millet beer as an antidote, the location of the ordeal at the dhlandhlo royal enclosure, and the political fallout that reshaped the kingdom's leadership for decades. #GreatZimbabwe #MamboNemakonde #PoisonOrdeal #Muraya #Mupfura #Svikiro #Nganga #Rozvi #Mhondoro #Dhlandhlo #Umhobe #Chisamuturu #Shona #SouthernAfrica #13thCentury #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

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