In the southwestern part of Zimbabwe, there were two strong states from the late 1400s to the early 1800s. The area is mostly farmland and borders the Kalahari Desert. Archaeology reveals that it was once home to people from the Toutswe State period (around 900–1200).

In the southwestern part of Zimbabwe, there were two strong states from the late 1400s to the early 1800s. The area is mostly farmland and borders the Kalahari Desert. Archaeology reveals that it was once home to people from the Toutswe State period (around 900–1200). 

The Leopard’s Kopje culture, associated with the towns of Mapela and Mapungubwe in the Limpopo Valley and Ntabazingwe near Bulawayo, defines the native people. Portuguese records from the 1600s and 1700s likely refer to this area as the Guruuswa (“tall grass”), also known as Butua.

Cow ranching, an ancient economic practice dating back over 400 years, currently occupies this land. Traditional drought-resistant crops like millet and sorghum can only grow in areas where there is little rain and frequent droughts. Besides these, there are also horses that eat mopane leaves during the dry seasons. 

According to Portuguese records, there is a rich gold belt, but the kings’ wealth and power came from their cattle. It was easy to take care of cattle, they grew quickly, and they could be traded for other things. Rulers used cattle to protect themselves in case crops failed and to express gratitude to the army, miners, metal workers, and traders.