Izithakazelo zakwa Mamba Clan Names History and Origin
Kampala Archbishop Dr Cyprian Kizito Lwanga and Prince David Wasssjja were on hand to welcome Perry Nsubuga as the latest Muzzukulu (member) of the Mamba clan, introduced to Ggabunga Mubiru Zzikwa as clan leader.
The Mamba clan takes its name from a lungfish fish found in Lake Victoria. These long, eel-like fish can swim or crawl along the ground surface.
Mamba Clan Names
- Mamba
- Mahlangu
- Mthimkhulu
- Mvelase
- Mthethwa
- Ndwandwe
- Zulu
- Mkhize
Origin of the name
The Mamba clan takes its name from a lungfish native to Uganda called mamba, with soft scales and an eel-like body shape that allows it to swim or crawl along lakebeds using pectoral and pelvic fins.
It feeds on crustaceans, aquatic insect larvae and mollusks for sustenance; alternatively it may survive out of water by burrowing deep into dried streambed mud for several months if necessary.
The Mamba Clan is one of the largest clans in Buganda and plays an essential role in royal navy operations as well as protecting Naggalabi Hill where Kabakas are crowned – this role sets itself apart among Buganda clans which traditionally assigned specific tasks to members.
Mamba clan leaders recently hosted a function to welcome Perry Nsubuga as their latest clan member, joined by Archbishop Cyprian Lwanga and Adam Nsubuga Kimala of Mamba clan Katikkiro Dr Adam Nsubuga Kimala.
Members of Mamba Clan attended, listening as an icon was played and applauding Perry Nsubuga for his contribution.
Mamba clans have demonstrated a remarkable ability to preserve traditions and cultures while modernizing how they operate.
For instance, they were pioneers in developing updated Baganda culture norms which are relevant in today’s society. Furthermore, the Mamba clan is a key player in Buganda tourism industry with an impressive track record of achievements.
Origin of the axe
The Axe Mamba Clan is a subclan of Mamba which can be traced back to Katenda. He borrowed an axe from another individual but dropped it while cutting wooden floats for fishing traps, only for it to later surface again and demand repayment from Katenda; thus starting a conflict which would alter their fate forever.
This clan comprises two groups – Namakaka and Kakoboza – who intermarry and marry among themselves. It is one of the largest clans in Buganda and members are well known for their strength, hunting skills, fishing techniques and ability to catch lungfish – one of its oldest totems and a symbol for this clan.
In the past, warriors would guard themselves against evil or darkness by partaking of umnyama; killing an enemy exposed him to this form of energy which had to be dispelled through cleansing rituals such as ukuhlobonga which involved safe sexual encounters including both phallic and clitoral contact but without penetration.
Before engaging in battle or hunt, warriors had to undertake this ritual in order to remain unclean and therefore could not join a fight or hunt.
Failure to participate could result in pregnancy which was seen as an embarrassment by their clan; in such instances both woman and man involved would face severe penalties of three cows as compensation for this loss of honor.
Origin of the canoe
The Mamba clan is one of the largest in Buganda and its members are widely known for their fierce dedication in protecting their rights and honor.
Additionally, the clan’s leader Ggabunga thanked Archbishop Lwanga for welcoming Perry Nsubuga from Nigeria into their clan – an Episcopal bishop whom was appointed Muzzukulu at their inauguration of Mamba kingship celebration function.
This clan is well known for their skill at canoe building. One of Mubiru’s ancestors fled Kenya for Kyaggwe where he became known for both axe-making and canoe building skills, impressing Kabaka Kintu so much that he was allowed to settle anywhere within his kingdom.
The Mamba clan is also famed for their totem fish: lungfish. According to legend, 600 years ago one of Mamba clan leader’s son fell in love with its taste and went in search of it by night before becoming lost in a lake and eventually disappearing there himself.
This led to lungfish becoming their totem fish and forbids members with Mamba clan totem from eating or even drinking its water; instead they can only marry someone from different clan or totem.
Origin of the fish
Buganda society is organized into clans called Mamba clans. Each clan has its own legal and political systems; for example, clans can be divided into siga and enda.
Their heads serve as mediators when dispensing justice to members within them; any time someone disagrees with a verdict issued from one siga or enda, he or she can appeal it by appealing directly to its head of division or clan head.
The Mamba snake of Africa is one of its fastest snakes and one of its deadliest. Living in southern and eastern Africa’s savannas and hills, where they prey upon birds and small mammals.
If threatened, its black counterpart rears up with open jaws as if mimetic of cobra’s threat display to scare off predators by injecting neuro- and cardiotoxin into its victim’s bloodstream to stop its predation.
Before the invention of antivenin, black mamba bites were almost always lethal. Even today, even with this lifesaving medicine available to them, deaths from black mamba-related bites still occur, particularly in rural areas that do not have access to antivenin.
Furthermore, habitat loss threatens this species which already faces threats such as human encroachment into its territory and thus more frequent attacks from more deadly bites.
Humans also tend to misinterpret its behavior as aggressive or potentially lethal resulting in unnecessary bites from black mamba bites than its natural predators – humans whose behavior can sometimes misinterpret as aggressive or deadly than its natural predators.
