Khumalo Clan Names History and Origin, Izithakazelo zakwa Khumalo
Khumalo is one of the Ndebele clan names with an intriguing past and present history attached.
The Khumalo Clan claims to be direct descendants of King Lobengula through an inferior wife; and thus were chosen as his chosen family by Lobengula himself.
Khumalo Clan Names
- Khumalo
- Mthethwa
- Ngubane
- Nxumalo
- Dlamini
- Ntombela
- Mthembu
- Buthelezi
- Zulu
- Ndlovu
- Ngwenya
- Mabaso
- Mngomezulu
- Nkosi
- Majozi
- Shabalala
- Gumede
- Zikhali
- Sibiya
- Sithole
Khumalo Clan Origin
Khumalo is a widely prevalent South African clan name. It is found throughout Africa more frequently than anywhere else and borne by 1,634 individuals globally. The Khumalo clan can be traced back to Mzilikazi who led Ndebele against Zulu Empire in 1818 and founded his clan; hence Bulawayo city in Zimbabwe was named after Mzilikazi and his clan.
Lobengula kaMzilikazi was a significant Ndebele king who reigned from Entumbane in the Matobo Hills, now part of Zimbabwe, until the succession of Mthwakazi. His lineage continues, but the revival of the Mthwakazi monarchy by Stanley Raphael Tshuma, who declared himself King Mzilikazi II, is disputed due to unclear lineage from Lobengula.
In the early 19th century, as Zwide kaLanga, the Ndwandwe chief, rose to power, Khumalo clan leaders Mashobane kaMangethe and Donda kaGasa were forced to join the Ndwandwe nation. They became targets of Zwide’s brutality, as he ordered their deaths to avoid conflict with Dingiswayo of the Mthethwa kingdom, who was in rivalry with Shaka Zulu of the Ndebele nation.
Zwide, aiming to eliminate potential threats and rivalries, ordered the execution of the Khumalo chiefs, including Mashobane kaMangethe and Donda kaGasa. This brutal move was intended to secure his power against the growing influence of Shaka Zulu.
Khumalo Clan Meaning
Khumalo translates to “mound of rocks”, as its members were believed to have been found buried beneath large piles of rock. Additionally, this clan was believed to be amongst the oldest Zululand tribes, and were known for their warlike ways.
Their ranks were divided into three subclans led respectively by Chief Donda for Southern Khumalo; Chief Beje was in charge of Central Khumalo while Matshobane (aka Mashobane kaMzilikazi) took command over Northern Khumalo.
Mzilikazi was an invaluable ally to King Shaka during the Zululand kingdom’s fight, helping win many battles for it and leading him on many escapades into Zimbabwe where his clan would eventually form.
After killing Zwide and taking his cattle away, however, King Shaka became dissatisfied and ordered Mzilikazi out. Once in Zimbabwe however, Mzilikazi eventually settled down as part of its clan and eventually established it there.
Modern day, the Khumalo Clan remains an influential tribe, known for their military skills and loyalty to King Bulelani Lobengula as guardians of his royal kraal. Furthermore, they are one of the oldest and most powerful tribes in Zululand – considered superior warriors and protectors of their kingdom – with some distinguished leaders like current King Bulelani Lobengula having come from this clan.
Khumalo Clan Variations
Even though Khumalo clans share many similar traditions and customs, there are numerous variations among their clans that manifests itself through various names used throughout the group. This could be partly attributed to Khumalo being used as a general term to refer to all members regardless of lineage or rank.
Before Zwide and his Ndwandwes began rising to power in Zululand (what would become South Africa), Khumalos were seen as neutral parties. One such Khumalo leader, Mashobana, married Zwide’s daughter and had Mzilikazi; an individual whom his Khumalo leader considered exceptional at battle and intelligence gathering for Zwide’s Ndwandwe clan. His son impressed Mashobana immensely as well.
Shaka was delighted by Mzilikazi’s addition to his army, since this would give him access to intelligence agents across Ndwandwe territory who could monitor and report back their activities for effective planning and attacking operations.
As a result, many families belonging to the Khumalo clan have spread across southern Africa under various names, yet still uphold traditional values and take great pride in their heritage as evidenced by how they conduct themselves and preserve traditions passed down from generation to generation.
Khumalo Clan Etymology
Khumalo is a clan name closely linked to the Ndebele royal family. In 2016, one Stanley Raphael Khumalo claimed himself to be Mzilikazi II king; this claim was quickly discredited by many members of both family and government officials as being fake news.
Since then, however, his claim was disavowed and 32-year-old Bulelani Colin Lobengula Khumalo has taken over his rightful place as successor of the crown.
Hollis suggests that khumalo’s name derives from wasi, the term used by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama to refer to hunter-gatherers; however, its exact source remains obscure and may simply be an alteration of twa as a more widespread Bantu term for hunter-gatherers.
Mzilikazi’s descendants began to argue over his succession in the late 19th century, with some distancing themselves from Nkulumane kaMzilikazi as too young and inexperienced; as a result, his tribe moved north, becoming estranged from its southern neighbours and breaking free of Mzilikazi’s reign of terror,
When Mzilikazi returned from Limpopo Valley through treacherous terrain after defeating rivals and reinstating control, they banished them all to what became known as Ntabazinduna (Hill of Chiefs); those who refused to follow orders were executed upon orders of Mzilikazi himself.
