5. Factors Leading to the Decline of the Mwenemutapa Kingdom

• Portuguese Interference: Political manipulation and military invasion; installation of puppet rulers.

• Power Struggles: Internal conflicts and external threats, particularly from the Rozwi dynasty.

• Rebellions: Subjugated states like Kiteve and Manyika rebelled and stopped paying tribute.

• Civil Wars: Frequent conflicts over succession weakened the kingdom.

Resource Depletion: Decline in soil fertility and depletion of timber and salt affected the economy.