Mwari

Mwari is a deity revered by the Shona and the Ndebele religious groups, with the majority of their followers being concentrated in either Mozambique, South Africa or Zimbabwe. Mwari is an omnipotent being, who rules over saints and angels and is the sole god of the religion. Mwari is believed to have the best interests of the Shona at heart, and prayer to him is common . Mwari's reverence as a deity dates back to the age of the ancient king Monomotapa, of the Mutapa Kingdom on the Zambezi River.

 == Etymology ==

The name "Mwari" is derived from the Shona word Mwari, which roughly means "independence and perseverance". The word itself can also be roughly interpreted as "God", but only in the deity's context. The furthering of this term's acceptance is when the Christian missionaries were creating a bible for the locals, in which they used the term "Mwari" instead of God . Other names for Mwari include Chikare or Musikavanu.

 == History ==

The exact history of Mwari is unknown, but many experts believe that the concept of the a single God/ess (the gender of Mwari is not yet properly defined) came from the Egyptians, who brought it to Sub-Saharan Africa through the exploration of the Nile. After this, it is commonly thought that the nomadic Kenyans were responsible for bringing the concept of monotheism to the native religions of Southern Africa. The first official recognition of Mwari was by the Karanga Empire, whose most notable ruler was Monomotapa of the Mutapa Kingdom. It is believed that this new addition to Shona religion was incorporated into Great Zimbabwe, arguably one of the most recognizable sights in Southern Africa .

== Characteristics ==

In sharp contrast to the traditional tyrannical gods of the North, Mwari was seen more as a kind and loving deity . Mwari is not only the god of creation, but also of land fertility and blessing rains. It is also believed that Mwari is the one who controls the forces of Earth, from the fortune of journeys to social and political events. Though the Shona and the Ndebele often pray to Mwari alone, it is also very common for the use of spirit mediums to be employed. The most significant of these is the Oracle, a female who inhabits a cave .