By Thomas Sibanda – Mzala Tom
The abeNyubi people have lived in the present-day Matobo district for almost 400 years, with close links to the Kalanga, Birwa, Venda, Sotho and Karanga. They are also found in areas like Kezi and Nkayi.
Historians say that the Nyubi are descendants of the Tsonga people from present-day Maranda occupying the Mwenezi district, sharing the borders with Mberengwa and Chiredzi. The Nyubi were forced to migrate to Matobo hills during the expansion of the Rozvi/Lozwi empire.
The Nyubi established a kingship in the Matobo hills under the Tonawanda dynasty. The kingship royal names included Mahoyi, Mtemumtemu and Mbiwa. Common present-day Nyubi surnames include Moyo, Dube, Nyoni, Ncube and Tshili. The Nyubi have strong ties with the Kalanga people.
The Tsonga heritage of the Nyubi is asserted by the Chipfumbi dialect names like Gulati, Dula, Dzhilo and Mazhoe. The Nyubi may have spoken Chipfumbi (a Tsonga dialect) as their primary language before they were assimilated into the Ndebele state.
Some Sotho people under Sebola (Sibhula) who trekked north and settled in the Matobo hills before the arrival of Mzilikazi were assimilated by the Nyubi. Their descendants are currently found in the Lukadzi-Sotshe areas.
The Nyubi (Ncube) controlled shrines like Njelele, Zhilo, Kumbudzi and Dondoriya. The Nyubi were experts at rain-making ceremonies. They also conducted river-related ceremonies to curb pandemics and plagues.
The Nyubi are credited for the unique heritage of decorating houses using various shades of clay. These interior and exterior house decorations are a common feature in the Matobo district.
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