What is "nambya"

The Nambya are a tribe of about one hundred thousand people, based in the north-west of Zimbabwe. They are clustered around the coal mining town of Hwange formally Wankie named after a revered local chief called Hwange.

They are also the traditional inhabitants of the area around Hwange National Park, the second biggest national park in Africa after Kruger National Park in South Africa,which boasts the Big Five game. Hwange is a mere 100 km from the resort town of Victoria Falls in the far north west of Matebeleland North.The Nambya people are believed to have descended from the Shona.It is believed that the Nambya came from the Great Zimbabwe.After the fall of Great Zimbabwe, a subchief by the name Sahwanga left for present day Dete.Some went on to live Bumbusi.This is evidenced by the stone structures which are similar to those which are in Great Zimbabwe.Notable Nambya figures include David Kwidini,Sansole, Percival Tshakaita, Lovemore Zamani Ndlovu and others.