Mpezeni
Encyclopedia
Mpezeni (1830–1900) was warrior-king of one of the largest Ngoni
groups of central Africa, based in what is now the Chipata District
of Zambia
, at a time when the British South Africa Company (BSAC)
of Cecil Rhodes was trying to take possession of the territory for the British Empire
. Mpezeni was courted by the Portuguese
and the BSAC sent agents to obtain a treaty — Alfred Sharpe
in 1889, and Joseph Maloney in 1895, who were both unsuccessful.
In 1897 with over 4000 warriors Mpezeni rose up against the British who were taking control of Nyasaland
and North-Eastern Rhodesia
, and was defeated. He signed the treaty which allowed him to rule as Paramount Chief of the Ngoni in Zambia's Eastern Province
and Malawi
's Mchinji
district. His successors as chief take the title Paramount Chief Mpezeni
to this day.
Ngoni people
The Ngoni people are an ethnic group living in Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia, in east-central Africa. The Ngoni trace their origins to the Zulu people of kwaZulu-Natal in South Africa...
groups of central Africa, based in what is now the Chipata District
Chipata
Chipata, population 98,416, is the capital of the Eastern Province of Zambia. The two languages spoken are Nyanja and English, though you might find some Indian languages, as there is a large number of Zambian Indians located in the town...
of Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
, at a time when the British South Africa Company (BSAC)
British South Africa Company
The British South Africa Company was established by Cecil Rhodes through the amalgamation of the Central Search Association and the Exploring Company Ltd., receiving a royal charter in 1889...
of Cecil Rhodes was trying to take possession of the territory for the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. Mpezeni was courted by the Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
and the BSAC sent agents to obtain a treaty — Alfred Sharpe
Alfred Sharpe
Sir Alfred Sharpe was a professional hunter who became a British colonial administrator and Commissioner of the British Central Africa Protectorate from 1896 until 1910...
in 1889, and Joseph Maloney in 1895, who were both unsuccessful.
In 1897 with over 4000 warriors Mpezeni rose up against the British who were taking control of Nyasaland
Nyasaland
Nyasaland or the Nyasaland Protectorate, was a British protectorate located in Africa, which was established in 1907 when the former British Central Africa Protectorate changed its name. Since 1964, it has been known as Malawi....
and North-Eastern Rhodesia
North-Eastern Rhodesia
North-Eastern Rhodesia in south central Africa was formed by and administered by the British South Africa Company as the other half, with North-Western Rhodesia, of the huge territory lying mainly north of the Zambezi River into which it expanded its charter in 1891...
, and was defeated. He signed the treaty which allowed him to rule as Paramount Chief of the Ngoni in Zambia's Eastern Province
Eastern Province, Zambia
Eastern Province is one of Zambia's nine provinces. The province lies between the Luangwa River and the border with Malawi, from Isoka in the northeast to just north of Luangwa in the south.The provincial capital is Chipata...
and Malawi
Malawi
The Republic of Malawi is a landlocked country in southeast Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland. It is bordered by Zambia to the northwest, Tanzania to the northeast, and Mozambique on the east, south and west. The country is separated from Tanzania and Mozambique by Lake Malawi. Its size...
's Mchinji
Mchinji
Mchinji is a town in the Mchinji District of the Central Region of Malawi. As of 2008 estimates, Mchinji has a population of 25,184. The area's economy is sustained by rain-fed agriculture, although the town is currently in the midst of a food crisis. Mchinji is also a major railroad junction,...
district. His successors as chief take the title Paramount Chief Mpezeni
Paramount Chief Mpezeni
Paramount Chief Mpezeni is a chieftainship of the Ngoni people of Zambia's Eastern Province and Malawi's Mchinji district.The chieftainship was founded by Zwangendaba, a former general of King Shaka of the Zulu, who fled the mfecane...
to this day.