Bhengu Clan Names History and Origin
Historical records can offer insight into your family history. They may reveal various spellings or pronunciations of your surname as well as providing important details about their ancestors.
Clan and surnames give Africans an essential sense of identity, reflecting personal, cultural, familial, historical ties that run deep. Most African communities require children to take their father’s clan name when enrolling into school.
Bhengu Clan Names
- Bhengu
- Zulu
- Buthelezi
- Mthethwa
- Ndlovu
- Khumalo
- Ntuli
- Mthembu
- Ngcobo
- Nxumalo
- Cele
- Dlamini
- Gumede
- Shabalala
- Zungu
- Mkhize
- Majozi
- Hlongwane
- Zwane
- Sithole
Bhengu Clan Origin
The Bhengu Clan Names are one of the oldest and most prestigious South African clans. With an illustrious history spanning leadership, war, peacekeeping and bravery among its members; boasting over one million members throughout Africa and beyond today – it remains an icon.
Historially, Bhengu was a clan of warriors and hunters that originated from an area near Zimbabwe with high populations of both lions and buffalos; their name translates as ‘Slayers of Lion” or “Buffalo Killers” which suggests their origination there.
Modern civilization has seen globalization increase the use of this surname; therefore it can now be found across numerous nations worldwide such as Europe and Asia.
Nozipho Bhengu is a South African politician who served in parliament from 1999 to 2005, becoming famous for a public revelation of her HIV status in a 2001 parliamentary speech. After leaving parliament she joined South African National Congress (SANCO), being elected Deputy President before returning in 2009. In 2009 she returned to parliament again as well as being appointed to Hillcrest Town Council – having also fathered an HIV positive daughter named Nozipho who she gave the name to as her middle name.
Bhengu Meaning
Zulu culture places great value on clan names as a means of distinguishing members of different clans within groups, family genealogy purposes and special significance in terms of culture and tradition. Clan names may have special significance in that their meaning can be unearthed through document analysis and interviews with those involved with that clan.
The Bhengu clan can trace their lineage back to Mepho, King Shaka’s herdsman who was awarded with 100 cattle as a reward for tending his herd. Today this clan lineage can be found through Ngwabile Bhengu, Dlabazane Sihi Songololo Lamula and Ngwane.
AmaXhosa considers the Bhengu clan to be among the oldest. These people believe in an intimate connection to their ancestors and can communicate with them via an ancient ritual known as imbeleko. This ritual serves to introduce children to their ancestors while teaching them about culture; furthermore, young men attend this ceremony which serves to prepare them for adulthood, leadership roles and custodianship of cultural traditions.
Surnames have long been used as an effective means of distinguishing individuals in society. Many different surnames remain widely used today, although not all related. Over time, their spelling and pronunciation has altered significantly; therefore it’s vital that we learn their origin and meaning.
Bhengu Clan Variations
Some clan names stand out amongst the crowd; among them are Ngudlinyama (Nelson Mandela’s clan name), Kwekundlola, Mntwini, Mhlatyana, Qengebe and Manz’amnyama to name just a few. Many of these have deep historical roots which can be passed from generation to generation and may carry special significance or origins that have been passed along through history.
Clan names are an invaluable way of understanding an individual’s culture and heritage, providing key clues into where one came from and is going in life. There’s an old adage: to know where you’re heading you must first understand where you have come from; this certainly holds true when discussing clan names.
People are increasingly moving away from their native homelands and traveling throughout the globe. As part of this experience, they need to gain knowledge of various cultures and traditions from other places – this includes learning their surnames too! With globalization leading the way, surnames may even travel from country of origin – for instance you may find Indian surnames living in Africa, or vice versa!
As such, clan names vary greatly. Additionally, it can be hard to keep track of them all; however, there are ways you can assist yourself. Here are a few ideas:
Bhengu Clan Etymology
Izindleko zokukhola, ihlalutyo, kwenye and kukwaNgcolosi zeMnangathele zaKwenziweNgoMzantsi, ngesikhitshane sasasa, ngezinye are words commonly associated with NgoMzantsi; Ngesikhitshane Sasasa and Ngazinye is composed of words like, Ngazinye are words such as: Izinto Ezimbini Iyempawu; Nngezinye are words like this: Izinto Ezimbini Iyempawu; and more so: Nxesha Izenzelelo Zinokuhamba Ngalo Ngazinye wenqanawa; Zungekho ukunqumla NgoMthunye Woqwalasela Mafaniso Ngesikhundla and finally Ngesikhundla Ezinye Ngama Wenqanawa Ngalo Ngalo Ngalo Ngalo Ngonqanawa
Bhengu Dlamini was banished from his family due to falling in love with his sister – an act that was culturally unacceptable at that time. Consequently, he crossed into Swaziland where he found followers known as Ngcolosi who eventually settled in Greytown in KwaZulu Natal Midlands.
This story from Zulu history has been passed down through generations of their tribe and is one of many tales about clan and praise names found within Zulu culture that can be told via songs known as izithakazelo. These songs often depict a totem or pattern representing a specific clan, while also explaining their significance – for instance, Ngcolosi clan is associated with elephants, and this song tells their origin story. Starting with Bhengu Dlamini who was the son of the king and progressing down through his son Ngwabile Bhengu to Sihi who gave birth to Dlabazane who in turn married a Mkhize girl – Mepho was then herded the King’s cattle with 100 cows as his reward; Mepho then paid lobola (dower money) to another Mkhize girl resulting in their son Nkungu being born from this union.