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Contents
✅ Title: The Impact of Colonialism on Traditional Governance in Zimbabwe..........................2
Stage 1: Problem Identification and Design Brief.....................................................................2
Stage 2: Investigation of Related Ideas......................................................................................3
Stage 3: Generation of Ideas.......................................................................................................4
Stage 4: Development of the Chosen Idea..................................................................................5
Stage 5: Presentation of the Idea................................................................................................5
Stage 6: Evaluation and Recommendations...............................................................................9
✅ Title: The Impact of Colonialism on Traditional
Governance in Zimbabwe
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Stage 1: Problem Identification and Design Brief
Problem Description:
Before colonialism, African societies such as the Shona and Ndebele had well-organized
traditional systems of governance led by chiefs, kings, spirit mediums, and councils of elders.
These systems were deeply rooted in culture, spirituality, and consensus. However, with the
arrival of colonial powers—especially the British South Africa Company and later the
colonial government—traditional systems were disrupted, manipulated, and in some cases,
completely replaced by indirect rule and colonial administration.
Statement of Intent:
This project investigates how colonialism negatively affected traditional governance
structures and practices in Zimbabwe, leading to a loss of autonomy, cultural erosion, and
changes in leadership authority.
Main Idea / Theme:
Destruction and transformation of traditional African governance due to colonial rule.
Design Specifications:
Identify traditional governance structures before colonialism
Show how colonial systems interfered with these systems
Provide examples of manipulation, resistance, and long-term effects
Propose how knowledge of traditional governance can be preserved and respected
today
Stage 2: Investigation of Related Ideas
Traditional Governance Before Colonialism:
System Description
Chiefdoms Chiefs ruled clans, oversaw land distribution and justice
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System Description
Kingships Kings like Lobengula ruled over vast areas with full sovereignty
Council of Elders Advised leaders and maintained moral/cultural laws
Spirit Mediums (svikiro) Played religious and advisory roles in governance
What Colonialism Introduced:
Change Introduced Impact on Traditional Governance
Indirect Rule Chiefs were turned into colonial tax collectors
Native Commissioners Took power over local justice and land
Disregard for Ancestral Land Rights Traditional land distribution systems were removed
Christian Missionaries and Western Law Undermined spiritual leaders and African customs
Appointment of Puppet Chiefs Traditional legitimacy of leaders was destroyed
Examples from Zimbabwe:
The case of Chief Chiweshe: Was removed for resisting colonial orders.
Lobengula’s downfall: British tricked him with the Rudd Concession and eventually
overthrew the Ndebele kingdom.
Spirit mediums like Nehanda and Kaguvi: Executed for resisting colonialism,
showing the spiritual-political role of traditional leaders.
Data Collection Methods:
Oral interviews with elders and traditional leaders in Chiweshe and Murehwa
Reading history textbooks and primary sources such as missionary journals
Visiting National Archives and Museums (e.g., Domboshava cultural center)
Watching documentaries on Zimbabwe's precolonial system
Stage 3: Generation of Ideas
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Possible Project Products:
1. A timeline showing precolonial → colonial → post-colonial governance changes
2. A poster comparing traditional vs. colonial rule
3. A booklet featuring stories from traditional leaders and how their powers were
changed
4. A drama reenacting the encounter between Lobengula and colonialists
5. A 3D model or map of a traditional governance village
Stage 4: Development of the Chosen Idea
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Chosen Idea:
A poster and timeline that visually explain how colonialism affected traditional governance.
What the Product Includes:
A timeline:
o Precolonial era (e.g., rule of kings and chiefs)
o 1890s: Colonization begins
o 1896–97: First Chimurenga (resistance by traditional leaders)
o 1930s: Land Apportionment Act affecting chiefs' authority
o 1980: Independence and recognition of traditional leaders
Poster:
o Left side: Traditional governance system
o Right side: Colonial changes and impacts
o Center: Picture of Nehanda symbolizing resistance
Why Chosen:
It visually shows changes over time and highlights how authority was taken and replaced,
which helps learners understand the progression of loss and resistance.
Stage 5: Presentation of the Idea
Visual Design:
Title: “From Kings to Puppets: The Collapse of Traditional Rule under
Colonialism”
Main Features:
o Traditional setup: huts, council, chief on throne
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o Arrows showing changes—introduction of colonial officials, taxes, new laws
o Symbols of resistance: Spears, Nehanda’s statue
o Modern relevance: Restored chieftainships after independence
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Stage 6: Evaluation and Recommendations
Achievements:
Learned how traditional African leadership worked before colonialism
Understood how colonialism disrupted governance and identity
Created a timeline and visual poster to show this change clearly
Challenges:
Some information on early chiefs was hard to verify due to lack of records
People in urban areas had limited knowledge of traditional systems
Balancing colonial impacts with modern developments was difficult
Recommendations:
More cultural education on traditional systems should be taught in schools
Traditional leaders should be recorded and interviewed for preservation
Museums and digital media should be used to teach history from African perspectives
