kingdom · Central and Southern Africa

Kingdom of Barwe

1500 CE – 1902 CE (approx.)

A Shona kingdom of central Mozambique whose rulers, the Makombe, resisted Portuguese conquest into the 20th century.

Origins

Barwe emerged around 1500 between the Mutapa lands and the Kingdom of Manyika, ruled by a dynasty related to the Mutapa house. Its rulers, titled Makombe, controlled routes between the Zambezi and the gold-bearing highlands.

Rule and society

The Makombe was a sacred king whose installation required ritual approval, including holy water sent from the Kingdom of Uteve, and spirit mediums held great influence. The kingdom traded with Portuguese posts at Sena and Tete and frequently fought Afro-Portuguese prazo holders and neighbouring states. In the 19th century it fought off the Gaza Nguni and the warlords of the Zambezi.

Decline and legacy

After repeated campaigns, Portuguese forces occupied Barwe in 1902, ending its independence. A major rising in 1917, led by Barwe nobles and spirit mediums, was crushed, and the area was absorbed into Portuguese Mozambique.

Lineage

Mutapa Empire 1430 CE – 1760 CEKingdom of Barwe

Connections (1)

More states of Central and Southern Africa →

Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Kingdom of Barwe. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/kingdom-of-barwe
MLA
“Kingdom of Barwe.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/kingdom-of-barwe. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Kingdom of Barwe.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/kingdom-of-barwe.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Kingdom of Barwe’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/kingdom-of-barwe (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻