Southern Kingdoms - History Of Africa with Zeinab Badawi [Episode 13]

In this episode, Zeinab Badawi travels to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Zambia to find out about the powerful kingdoms of southern Africa and their rulers from 10th to 19th century, like the Mutapa kingdom that stretched across portions of eight modern-day southern African countries.

We hear about one military ruler who repeatedly saw off Portuguese invaders, and we admire the incredible ruins of Great Zimbabwe, the largest stone settlement in Africa south of the Sahara.

Foreign visitors could not believe that this towering civilisation dating from the 1100s was built by Africans. The reality is that Great Zimbabwe is the most striking example of the kingdoms that flourished in southern Africa.

[mike-waynedjangoii]

Very nice to see Zimbabwe being shown in a good light for a change

[shamiesamantha]

So happy to see a history about my Zimbabwe being documented

[shivonobijonmkhabela]

African history told by Africans, it can't be more beautiful than this. For us to move forward it's imperative we know our past, a past that is not obscured nor narrowed to a certain groups objectives. Please keep teaching us about our roots Zeinab Badawi, thank you.

[michamash]

I am a Rozvi. Today my Grandfather's farm is 60 miles from Great Zimbabwe Ruins. My grandfather also told us that we originally came from across the Limpopo, Mapungugwe. Rozvi people also built Khami Ruins and Dlodlo near Gweru. Everywhere they stopped they built Stone Houses.

[jemilha]

I hope their are more enthusiastic Historians and anthropologist like you Zeinab for our future.

[TheObsidianOrderSector]

Some examples of such Bantu states include: in Central Africa, the Kingdom of Kongo, the Kuba Kingdom, the Lunda Empire, the Luba Empire, Tooro, Bunyoro, Buganda Kingdom of Uganda and Tanzania, Busoga, Rwanda, Burundi, Ankole and in Southern Africa, the Mutapa Empire, the Zulu Kingdom, Danamombe, Khami, and Naletale Kingdoms of Zimbabwe and Mozambique and the Rozvi Empires. All built by the Bantu during the Bantu migration.

[matthewmann]

Not too long ago many people assumed that The Great Zimbabwe was either built by Muslim Middle Easterners or Christian Europeans sometimes both but nowadays those theories have been debunked as the people now recognized for those accomplishments of recognitions were Bantus

[jojo]

If indeed the great Zimbabwe was built by foreign civilization, don't you think, they will have it written somewhere or there will be some sort of writings or drawings on them. They were built by the locals. Most of the amazing buildings in Africa has been destroyed because they were built with mud. They didn't get lots of stones.

[prof.tarekeldomiaty]

Dear Mrs. Zeinab.... you have made a respectable landmark to the History of Africa documenting a great civilization being the cradle of humanity. The history will always remember your documentary being as great as the African civilization.

[msoda]

Sadly too many people are ignorant to the history of Africa pre European colonialism. We need to teach more people this rich beautiful history

[sainaboucole]

I have never visited Zimbabwe but thanks to zeinab I have interest in coming to Zimbabwe cause it's really an interesting country!

[ntatemohlomi]

My family clan/praise name include the Rozvi name, we call ourselves that everyday when we seek to show pride in ourselves. And I'm Venda speaking, from the north east of South Africa.

[Monaedeezy]

As an African American, 40:42, I know this very feeling. Happy to binge watch these episodes. The cinematography is nice too.

[bamboconta]

The documentary is a masterpiece of the tragedy, trauma and agony of a monumental inhumane treatment ever meted on the sons and daughters, men and women in the history of mankind. This should be the greatest work of journalistic adventure in 2020 and must not go without an award of the BBC documentary of the year 2020. Job well done Zainab Badawe. The narratives as well as the Pictures are all perfect.

[coachphillipah]

Thank you for sharing our history.

As a Zimbabwean this is the first time I am hearing that it is not known who built Great Zimbabwe. The names of the Kings living and ruling there should be able to make it clear. We have a clear history of the succession of Kings including the first King. The Great Zimbabwe took a very long time to build so it can't be said the tribe who built it is not known.

[tripleceven]

So succession issues have plagued Zimbabwe for a long time. History does repeat itself.

[cuthbertjolly]

One thing one learns from the history of Africa south of the Sahara is the absence of violence, brutality and torture which were so much part of the cultures of other people. There is a disadvantage, however, in being a peaceful nation and that occurs when those citizens meet warlike individuals. The more violent people always prevail. This has been demonstrated all over the world throughout history.

[amanidzoro]

I read about the Mwene Mutapa Kingdom and Asante Kingdom of Ghana in primary school, but these documentaries have taught me a lot more. I think Africans need to fund historians themselves and extensive research should be done so that we can tell our own stories like this.

[beew.]

Such beautiful and richhistory. I pray Afrika wakes up and realize tht Afrika doesn't need the world ..the world needs Afrika. Stop letting ppl who hate us &have no respect for us continue to exploit..& abuse the ppl and land

[rebelsimracer]

So basically, Zimbabwe was the place to be back then. frankly Zimbabwe is basically all the Southern African Countries