BIOGRAPHY
Mwape
A fearless warrior and ruler of middle Luangwa and Chuambira valley
(1910 - 1986)
She was a ruler of a Kingdom that comprised the middle Luangwa and the Chuambira valley and further east, Mulilo, and Chisenga respectively at Chinshumbu and Kaundi who owed her allegiance.
Being a fierce warrior, Mwape fought battles with the Chikunda slave traders and other Chiefs, extended her influence, protected her people, and imposed control over the trade routes in her land..
DIVE INTO HER LIFE
ARTIFACT SHE MAY HAVE USED
COWRY BELT
A belt made of leather and cowry shells. Cowries were expensive in places far away from the sea like Zambia and could only be acquired by people of influence. To possess such an item with such a large number of cowries meant the person that owned this belt was very wealthy. The shells were also used as a medium of exchange and are also an indicator of the presence of long distance trade in the interior of Zambia.