Izithakazelo Zakwa Madlala Clan Names History and Origin
Madlala is the 15,194th most prevalent family name worldwide, being more prevalent in South Africa than any other nation/territory.
Clan names are authentic African identities that identify one’s lineage or ancestry. Most African communities identify with their clan, with children taking the clan name of their father as their surname.
Madlala Clan Names
- Madlala
- Zulu
- Buthelezi
- Mthethwa
- Ndlovu
- Khumalo
- Ntuli
- Mthembu
- Ngcobo
- Nxumalo
- Cele
- Dlamini
- Gumede
- Shabalala
- Zungu
- Mkhize
- Majozi
- Hlongwane
- Zwane
- Sithole
Zulu Clan Names
The Zulu are proud of their clan praises (izithakazelo) and use them to define who they are as an identity group. Similar to many African cultures, children identify with the paternal clan and take up his name.
Such as in most African cultures the clan system is founded upon relationships and ties with ancestors as well as historical events or figures.
The oldest male in each family serves as headman of their clan and is responsible for war and peace; leading the clan during times of conflict while acting as judge when peace arrives.
Furthermore, headmen also play other important roles such as hunting and farming, providing advice to their king as needed and gathering intelligence on his behalf.
Zulus revere their totem animals or plants as symbols of luck that bring good fortune and protection for their family. Any attempts at harming or killing it would bring bad luck; thus taking extra measures to preserve and guard their totems.
Zulus are known to believe that their ancestors return in human form in order to ask for forgiveness and ask for assistance with daily living tasks, which is why many families make offerings and sacrifices in honor of them.
Furthermore, magic practices are employed against any evil spirits they might come into contact with.
Xhosa Clan Names
Xhosa people primarily revere an all-powerful Supreme Being called uThixo or uQamata and many of their beliefs stem from spiritual experiences of their ancestors.
Additionally, they believe they can communicate with these spirits via intermediaries, with hopes that these ancestors make wishes known through dreams. Similar to other Bantu tribes, the religion practiced among Xhosa is complex, including elaborate ritual sacrifices and initiation ceremonies.
In Xhosa culture, clan names serve as surnames that are passed down from generation to generation. Clan names derive their significance from each family’s history or story and may refer to their first ancestor; clans form tribes which form nations. For instance, Radebe tribe’s clan name is Uziduko while AmaHlubi is their nation.
Xhosa clans are named after their most influential ancestor or place of origin; for instance, Mpondo clan was named for Mpondo Kingdom in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province.
Maphela family descended from Nkwali joined AmaHlubi kingdom during King Dlomo yeThembu’s rule and later earned themselves the name “Bukula”, meaning “cockroach”, due to buying and selling property at will for his subjects like an insect would do.
Nguni Clan Names
The Nguni people are Bantu ethnic groups originating in central Africa that migrated south, becoming the ancestors of today’s Swazi (or Eswatini), Ndebele, and Swazi (or Eswatini) populations living in present-day South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia as well as Malawi and Mozambique.
The clan system was the cornerstone of Ngoni social organization and still plays an essential role today; for example, using one’s clan name when greeting or thanking others for gifts is common practice among them.
Ngoni clan names often combine nouns and adjectives from other Ngoni clans with their noun or adjective forms to produce clan names; other clan names were created through phonological processes.
For example, umuthi (tree) combined with -khulu (“big tree”) produces Mthimkhulu; similarly combining the noun “idla (eat) with the adjective -emini (“eat at midday”) produces Dlamini.
Ngoni clans assimilated into neighboring tribes upon migrating to southern Africa, which led to the formation of new clans based on commonalities between Ngoni tribes.
Often related to location or occupation; for instance, Clan Ndzimande emerged when Ngoni tribesmen from Natal migrated south.
Ndebele Clan Names
The Ndebele tribe are internationally-acclaimed for their exceptional artistry, ornate dwellings and vibrant apparel and decorations. Their artwork often exhibits symmetry, proportion and straight edges – an influencer such as painter/decorator Esther Mahlangu hails from this tribe.
Although its source remains unclear, many believe that its name derived from Sotho-Tswana “tebele,” meaning foreign or plunderer. They share this appellation with at least three other South African groups including amaKumalo led by Mzilikazi.
Ndebeles are well known for their distinctive totems which symbolise the complex relationships among people, animals and the environment. Each Ndebele tribe uses up to 25 distinct totems which they depict with intricate mural paintings on the walls of their houses.
In 1823, the Ndebele moved to their homelands known as kwaMnyamana (The Place of Black Rocks) from northern KwaZulu and eMaruleni (The Place of Marula Trees), before eventually moving back out west into Zimbabwe where they would come to be known as Matabele in Shona.
Historical records provide a rich source of insight into your family’s past. They can reveal such things as names and dates of birth, addresses of residence and occupation information of family members as well as provide insight into broader sociohistoric trends during your ancestor’s time period.
