The Matabele War, also known as the First Matabele War, occurred between 1893 and 1894 in what is now Zimbabwe. It was fought between the British South Africa Company, led by Cecil Rhodes, and the Ndebele people, who were also known as the Matabele. The conflict arose from tensions over land and resources as European settlers encroached on Ndebele territory. The war began with a series of skirmishes and escalated into a full-scale conflict. The British forces, equipped with modern weaponry, ultimately defeated the Ndebele, leading to the establishment of British colonial rule in the region. This war significantly impacted the Ndebele society and their way of life.