The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
AFTER being dispossessed of their heritage by the white settler regime in 1947, the Chigudu clan in Makoni is putting up a spirited fight to re-establish dominion of the Mirungwe area (Inyati Mine) with the installation of war veteran, Retired Major Michael Chigudu, as the fourth Headman Kabairashishiri.
The Chigudus’ history in the area backdates to 1820 when their great grandfather, Chiwome, the son of Chinogomera, moved from the Tandi area and resettled in Mirungwe at the behest of Chief Makoni (then Zendera).
The land is demarcated by Mukuwi River to the East and Dora River to the West. Dora runs into Mwarazi River as it stretches down northward until it meets with Mukuwi, thereby forming a confluent known as Chimwanzou.
The Mirungwe area is nestled between six mountains — Radze, Mandindi, Churwi, Chinyudze, Chitsotso Range and Hodzeri.
Most of the dynasty’s ancestors were buried in sacred caves in Mt Radze and Mandindi, earning them specific roles in the clan’s rituals.
Kabairashiri Chigudu was buried in Panda (Era Mine) in 1946 after a fatal cardiac arrest emanating from his eviction from the fertile Mirungwe lands by colonialists.
He was one of Chief Chingaira’s snipers.
“Most of our ancestors were born and breed here. They were evicted by the whites following the demise of Chief Chingaira. From 1897 to 1946, Kabairashiri commanded much respect from this area, and neighbours, namely Headmen Dzikiti, Nemaire, Nyamuronda, Matika and Chitsike, would ordinarily pay allegiance to him as their superior,” said Headman Kabairashiri at a dynasty pre-independence bash held at his homestead last Saturday.
The late Ernest Tangai Chigudu was the second Ishe Kabairashiri — with his tenure stretching from 1964 to November 11, 1969.
He was domiciled in Chiendambuya, within the jurisdiction of Ishe Chitsike, but would frequently visit the Mirungwe area to settle traditional matters.
After independence in 1984, the late Jackson Manyara Chigudu was summoned from the Tanda area to assume the reins as the third Headman Kabairashiri until his death in 2004.
He was subsequently replaced by Rtd Maj Chigudu, who occupies the land originally known as Chiropa Valley, where his late father John Tafirenyika was born.
Rtd Maj Chigudu was selected to take over the throne at a high profile meeting held on October 24, 2017 at former Manicaland Provincial Governor, Cde Tinaye Chigudu’s Maidstone Farm in Rusape.
A delegation headed by family elder, Peter Marume (Zengeni), presented him as tsvana to Chief Makoni on December 1, 2017.
He was traditionally inaugurated by Chief Makoni on January 26, 2019.
However, his headmanship was not a bed of roses.
“It became a nightmare due to the boundary dispute between Chief Chipunza and Chief Makoni.
“The machinations are being spearheaded by politicians who forged new boundaries contrary to the Constitution of Zimbabwe which upholds our customs and traditions.
“I will soldier on to reclaim the land of my ancestors,” said Headman Kabairashiri Chigudu.
“I started off by re-introducing the name MirungweNyati Block, and advocating for the legitimacy of Chigudu as the headman of this area. It is now upon me to ensure this place, the cultural ethos, customs, values and natural resources are preserved and guarded.
“We need good roads, electrified schools and health facilities to lure investors to this area. We have gold and copper and already we have two investors.
“The community owns 10 percent shares in one of the investments,” said Headman Kabairashiri Chigudu.
He chronicled the origins of the dynasty: “We have the famous Chiwome area, which has a sacred place with rock outcrop, where our great ancestor Chiwome died and was buried.
“He was the founder of Mirungwe, and the father to Nzirasha Kabairashiri Chigudu.
“His brother Kadeze was killed by a lion, which mysteriously broke his waist in the Sambanena area in Chiwome.
“Kadeze was buried in Mandindi cave together with other important people that came with Gunguwo from Chiriri in Tanganyika (Tanzania),” he said.
Gunguwo was the father of Muswere (Makoni) and Sabarawara.
Sabarawara begot Jembere, who was enticed by his sisters into anincestuous relationship that led to the split of the family.
The late Chiwome married NyukwaMasarirambi of the Shava totem, who bore Nzirasha Chigudu and his sisters — Seke, Dambudzo and Shoniwa and Chineunye in Mirungwe, which became Chigudu’s territory in 1820.
Chief Makoni placed Chiwome in charge of Mirungwe to enable smooth administration the district.
A host of the Chigudus participated in the liberation struggle — namely Cde Tinaye Chigudu, who was detained at Hwahwa Prison for 13 years due to his political activism, Cdes Edgar, General Ruphus, Michael, Joseph, Johannes, Joshua and Power Chigudu, who were trained as Zanla combatants.
“We were over 17 ex-combatants, excluding war collaborators, who got involved in the liberation of our motherland. We returned back to Mirungwe after the war to take over our heritage in 1982.
“We are confident about our heritance and that is why I was appointed to preside over MirungweNyati Block; and coincidentally, I am a veteran of liberation struggle following the footsteps of Ishe Kabairashiri Chigudu, a hero of the First Chimurenga.
Known as Cobra Chombo, Headman Kabairashiri Chigudu is determined to preserve the history of his area.
“The resettlement of 1982-83 brought a number of different families from other districts and aliens left by white farmers in Mirungwe.
“The closure of Inyati Mine in 1987 also resulted in an influx of people seeking land. Destruction of forests and grazing land, a problem that remains to date.
“I will assert my authority without fear and favour. This practice has to stop,” he said to wild applause from the delegates.
Headman Kabairashiri Chigudu has 32 kraal heads under him.
