TheNambya people[a] are an ethnic group of about 100,000 people, based in the north-western parts ofZimbabwe and in the north-eastern parts ofBotswana, who speak theNambya language. They are found around the coal mining town ofHwange, surrounding areas of theVictoria Falls as well as in the north-eastern parts of Botswana namely, Pandamatenga, Chobe, Maremaoto, Gweta, Shorobe, Tsienyane, Zoroga, Chumo, Makalamabedi, Sankoyo, Lesoma,Xhumo, Mopipi, Broadhurst, Rakops, Shoshong, Palapye and Maun.[2] Hwange Town and the Hwange National Park were named after the BaNambya King Sawanga, who was later called Hwange by the Nambya people. The Kalanga tribes who were captured by the Nambya warriors from the former Rozvi Empire of the Great Zimbabwe influenced the Nambya language which resulted in the changed pronunciation of words and tone.
The BaNambya people are also the native inhabitants of the area aroundHwange National Park, the second biggest national park inAfrica afterKruger National Park inSouth Africa, which boasts theBig Five game. Hwange is a mere 100 km from the resort town ofVictoria Falls in the far north west ofMatebeleland North Province. The Nambya people are related to theKalanga. The BaNambya came from Great Zimbabwe, and conquered some Kalanga tribes along their way toHwange,Victoria Falls and the north-eastern parts ofBotswana, which changed the Nambya language and made it similar to TjiKalanga. The BaNambya were being led by a subchief of the Great Zimbabwe by the name of Denderende Sawanga and went to present dayDete which is where they settled. Some went on to live inBumbusi. This is proven by the stone structures that were built by the Nambya that are similar to that of Great Zimbabwe. The BaNambya Royal leadership includes the BaNambya Chief Shana, BaNambya Chief Hwange, BaNambya Chief Nekatambe, BaNambya Chief Nelukoba, Botswana BaShe BechiNambya NShe Shashe Shakwa, Botswana BaShe BechiNambya NShe Manchebu, Botswana BaShe BechiNambya NShe Makonyela, Botswana BaShe BechiNambya NShe Nakwela, Botswana BaShe BechiNambya NShe Montsho, Botswana BaShe BechiNambya NShe Masusu, Botswana BaShe BechiNambya NShe Shambi, Botswana BaShe BechiNambya NShe Sumbami, Botswana BaShe BechiNambya NShe Manchebu Phaphadza, Botswana BaShe BechiNambya NShe Bahalole and Botswana BaShe BechiNambya NShe Mazwimbo.
It is also believed that the Nambya are also part of the Lozwi/BaRotse tribe. Nambya consists of dialects namely, the baNizi and the baNyayi. The BaNambya originated from the Rozvi empire of Masvingo Great Zimbabwe.
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