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From Israel to Zimbabwe (an oral history): Part Two…how the Lemba fullfilled the scriptures

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Farayi Mungoshi

IN the book, A Remnant of Israel, The Lemba, written by Elder Birror D.K. Hamandishe and Ishmael Sirigwani Mashingaidze and published late 2017, the authors clearly explain how the name the Lemba, which means ‘The tired people’, came about.
When the Prophet Ezra learned of the intermarriages between Jews and non-Jews in 467BC and that among those who had taken foreign wives were mostly leaders and officials within the Jewish community, he was greatly troubled.
He tore his hair and clothes in grief as this was considered a sin since the Jews were supposed to keep themselves separate from other nationalities and tribes.
As Israel had transgressed, there was need for them to come up with a solution for spiritual cleansing that they might be acceptable before God.
Sechaniah, son of Jehiel of the clan of Elam, came up with the idea that if the Israelites were to be cleansed before God (who is referred to in the book as Adonai), they had to send away all the foreign women and children born of them.
Ezra went ahead and did exactly as Sechaniah had suggested and told the Israelites who had taken up non-Jewish wives to separate themselves from them and send them away along with their children (Ezra 10 verse 10), separating even the children from their fathers.
Among some of the Israelites who disagreed with Ezra was a learned man (a lawyer) who was obviously born to a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother.
He stood up and spoke against Ezra saying that this judgment was senseless and had no reference.
He spoke out against the idea of children being punished for the sins committed by their parents, making a point that children belonged to the father rather than the mother.
He finished up by declaring: “We are tired of Jewish Judgments without references. We shall return to Jerusalem!”
And thus, from that day on, they were referred to as ‘The tired people’ – the Lemba.
In 466BC, the Lemba left Israel.
Today they are known as the Lemba of Zimbabwe (also referred to as VaRemba).
There are also the Lemba of South Africa and elsewhere in Africa we have more Lemba people, like some of the Tutsis of Kenya and Rwanda; the Mwenyes of Tanzania and the Senas of Mozambique.
As the Lemba’s customs were/are different from other cultures, they had to keep together throughout their journeys.
And for them to maintain order among themselves, a leader had to be chosen. The house of Buba was chosen for spiritual leadership.
They built a replica of the ark of the covenant according to oral history and it is said during the night as they were fasting, praying and offering sacrifices, a bright star appeared above them and the ark suddenly thundered and a bright light flashed from it.
God was with them and they were to follow the star.
Buba told them that it was the Star of David.
It took them to Medina and after that it led them to a fertile valley in the southern part of Arabia – Yemen.
They built an altar and offered sacrifices there and named it Sena.
They lived successfully and in peace until Mohammed came.
After violence broke out in Medina and Yemen, the Lemba left for Afrika.
They left in three different ships.
The last to depart was Buba’s ship which followed the Star to Beira, Mozambique. Upon arrival, the other two ships were nowhere to be found.
In Mozambique, they established themselves and were known as VaSena (the ones from Sena).
They also began referring to the ark as ‘Ngoma Lungundu’ (the drum that thunders).
The Lemba married women from the land (Bantu girls).
In Mozambique, Arab traders came seeking their assistance.
They were gold traders from Yemen and had heard of the gold market west of Beira.
The gold market was in the Hungwe community.
The Hungwe mined gold extensively and they were also traders.
The Hungwe’s fame as gold miners and traders had gone international.
Now familiar with local languages, the Lemba, who spoke Arabic, became intermediaries between the Hungwe and the Arabs.
From Mozambique, they came to Zimbabwe and settled in the Wedza area.
The reason they moved was because of a Malaria outbreak which claimed lots of Lemba lives.
Following the star again, they moved from the Wedza area to Buhera where the star stopped over Gomba Mountain.
Later they moved to Gutu and continued on to Makaure (Chartsworth, now Chivhu).
They moved to Mberengwa (which they actually named so) and later they would cross the Limpopo to South Africa.
Though the Lemba left Israel unceremoniously, they fulfilled the word that the Israelites shall be scattered all across the earth.
Considered one of the lost tribes of Israel I find it hard to believe that they were lost after reading A Remnant of Israel, The Lemba.
The legendary stories of how the Lemba defeated Chief Nhongwa in Wedza and how they assisted the Gumbos (Madyirapazhe) to defeat Mutisi and later the lions story as well as how they found favour with the Shumbas are significant.
They had the ark and their God.
Mashingaidze said he decided to write this book because he felt Christianity had lost its way.
Being a Messianic Jew, he said Christians were celebrating Christ on pagan days following declarations by Roman ruler, Constantine.
Celebrating Christmas and Easter, even worshipping God on Sundays while Sabbath is on a Saturday, shows how today’s Christian needs to be educated.
“If those of us who are in the know do not tell the rest of the people, then they will continue to be lost,” said Mashingaidze.

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