The Kingdom of Butua or Butwa (c. 1450–1683) was a pre-colonial African state located in what is now southwestern
Zimbabwe. Butua was renowned as the source of
gold for
Arab and
Portuguese traders. The region was first mentioned in
Portuguese records in 1512.
The kingdom was governed by the
Torwa dynasty until 1683 from its capital at
Khami. Its people were ancestors of the
Shona/Bakalanga. In 1683, the kingdom was conquered by the
Rozwi Empire.
The foundations of the Khami Ruins show a striking resemblance to the pattern of masonry at the base of the Zimbabwe Ruins. Hence the Kalanga are thought to have built Khami, Lusvingo, Mapungugwe and other ruins scattered across western Zimbabwe and east Botswana.
Gallery
File:Khamiruins1.jpg, The ruins of Khami, capital of the Butua Kingdom.
File:Khamiruins2.jpg, Steps leading into the ancient city of Khami
File:Khamiruins3.jpg, The outer wall of Khami
See also
*
Torwa dynasty
*
Rozwi Empire
*
Naletale
References
*
*
History of Zimbabwe
States and territories disestablished in 1683
Former monarchies of Africa
{{Zimbabwe-hist-stub