2 Quotes About Matabele

The Matabele migrated to present-day Zimbabwe, where they were one of the first tribes to make contact with Europeans. The Matabele targeted European settlers for use in manpower. European farmers, afraid of being raided by these fierce warriors, moved away from the land that the Matabele inhabited. The Matabele were divided into many different tribes at this time.

Some even allied themselves with the British in their fight against the Zulu tribes for control over Southern Africa during the 18th century. The British were successful in defeating King Shaka in 1878 and his empire in 1879, but the great chief was still able to manage to successfully unite many of his troops under his command until his death in 1883. Many of these troops would eventually become the nationalist forces which fought against the British during the second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902). Many would also become involved in rebellion against Rhodesia (Southern Rhodesia) later on after it became a republic in 1964. After his death, many of his followers fled to Mozambique and other parts of Southern Africa before finally settling in Zimbabwe where they lived undisturbed until their deaths due to political turmoil brought about by independence movements in Rhodesia and Zambia (the former Northern Rhodesia) during the 1970s and 1980s respectively. The word "Matabele" is derived from an old Nguni word meaning "those who live above".

This is where we get the name "Mountain People". It is also possible that this originates from a word meaning 'swamp dwellers' which seems more likely given where they settled originally and their nomadic lifestyle for centuries before this time (and after). The name "Matabele" has been applied to several ethnic groups including: Matabeles;  the largest group;  the most diverse;  the ones who came from South Africa;  the most like Shona;  the most warlike;  the ones who spoke Ndebele language;  or just those who lived