Nyatsimba Mutota

Shona tradition presents Nyatsimba Mutota (c. 1400–c. 1450), a royal prince of declining Great Zimbabwe, as the founder of the Mutapa Empire. Tradition relates that a salt shortage led him to lead his people north to Dande, where he set up a new dynasty.

Taking the title Mwene Mutapa, he also became high priest of Mwari. Around 1440 he opened campaigns along the Zambezi and conquered Great Zimbabwe itself.

He built the gold and ivory trade with Sofala. He was killed in war with a Tonga tribe about 1450 and succeeded by his son Matope.