Izithakazelo Zakwa Mashego Clan Names History and Origin
The Mapulana are an indigenous tribe located in Mpumalanga and South Eastern Limpopo Province of South Africa, bordering AmaSwazi to their south and Bakone to their east. Their history of gallant wars includes iconic figures like Maripe and Sekakole – the two legendary leaders are amongst them.
Globalization has enabled surnames to move beyond their nations of origin and it is not unusual to encounter identical surnames in multiple nations.
Mashego Clan Names
The Mashego clan has its own distinct praise names, known as izithakazelo. Here are the Mashego Clan Names:
- Mashego
- Mohlala
- Madubanya
- Mokone
- Mathekga
- Bopape
- Moraba
Mashego
Mashego clan of Pulana people. They live in an area called Bushbuckridge which spans from Crocodile River to Swazi border and encompasses Acornhoek, Pilgrem’s Rest, as well as nearby towns such as Acornhoek and Pilgrem’s Rest.
Their chiefs include bagaMashego, BagaMalele, BagaChiloane, BagaMogane and bagaNonyane whose ancestor is BagaMappulana.
When a baby is born, their name will usually be given after an ancestor – usually chosen by his or her grandmothers or aunts who know which names would best fit.
At the time of initiation into manhood, boys are assigned to one or more regiments known as mphato/moroto.
Each regiment can be identified by its date of initiation – these dates remain secret – although over time their dates of initiation might have changed as a result of errors or requests to change spelling; over time this has likely resulted in surnames similar to Mashego yet carrying their own unique meanings.
Malele
People with the name Malele come from an impressive heritage that spans across generations. They tend to be hard workers who exhibit honesty in all they do. Additionally, they take their responsibilities very seriously and are highly reliable.
According to popular belief, the name Malele comes from a greenish slippery grass found in rivers, dams and other water bodies. This clan name has come to symbolize achievement and success for people bearing it; those bearing this moniker tend to be very ambitious individuals who can achieve whatever their heart desires.
Historical accounts attest that maPulana clan was known for its warriors and strong leaders. According to legend, their ancestors engaged in numerous battles against other tribes such as Bakone. Unfortunately for them however, colonists ultimately defeated them and their descendants have since dispersed throughout South Africa.
Mogane
Modern globalization has resulted in surnames spreading far beyond their country of origin, so that African surnames are common throughout Europe or Indian ones in Oceania.
Furthermore, similar-sounding surnames now exist across multiple countries around the globe and you might come across someone with the name Mogane living anywhere on the globe.
Mapulana follows a class system known as Dikgoro (Clans, lit. Kraals). Boys who underwent their initiation together will belong to the same regiment which can be identified by its name. An elaborate system exists to differentiate one regiment from the next based on when each regiment was initiated.
BagaMashego is the chief clan in Bushbuckridge; BagaMalele serves as chief in Acornhoek and Pilgrim’s Rest; BagaChiloane oversees Graskop and Sabie; while BagaMogane and BagaNonyane control land from Matibidi to Lydenburg region respectively. Each chief oversees all their respective territories’ land.
Chiloane
Chiloane family history is fascinating, stretching back across multiple generations and locations. A family tree can provide valuable information about your ancestors such as their birthdates and important events in their lives; historical records will also shed more light on where your clan ancestors lived and what work they performed for a living.
The primary chiefs of the Mapulana include baga Mashego in Bushbuckridge, Malele in Acornhoek and Pilgrem’s Rest, Chiloane in Hazyview White River and Graskop, Mogane in Hoedspruit Sabie Matibidi Lydenburg areas and Nonyane from Dullstroom Barberton.
Each New Year marks planting season for crops such as Mabele (maize and millet) followed by Dintlu (jugobeans). Senior members would plant first while junior members would follow after planting first in their family unit.
Nonyane
Errors in writing, voluntary changes by those bearing it and modifications due to language changes all played a role in altering surnames over time. But it should be remembered that not all variations share a single source.
The Mapulana are an ethnic group native to Mpumalanga that reside in the Bushbuckridge and Bushman’s River regions of Mpumalanga. Their ancestral lands stretched from Shakwaneng on Lepunama River near Shakwaneng to Phageng/Nelspruit area as well as Moholoholo/Hoedspruit to Graskop/Sabie area.
The Mapulana follow a lunar-based calendar. Their year begins each September when plants bloom and rains start falling; and New Year is also when people plant crops that provide staple foods – with senior clans planting first followed by younger clans in order.
Bakone
Bakone is a clan name meaning “five backs,” found throughout various countries of the world. People bearing this surname may trace their roots back to China where bakon means five; or they could have immigrated with it from another place while keeping the family name intact.
The Bakone Malapa Museum, built 250 years ago to showcase daily life of a subgroup of the Northern Sotho tribe called the Bakone, features two homesteads called lapas that visitors are free to explore and observe demonstrations such as fire making, maize grinding and beer brewing as well as various handcrafts such as pottery carving wood carving bead work grass weaving sold through its craft shop.
Mapulana people speak SePulane (part of Northern Sotho language family which belongs to Bantu subgroup along with all other Southern African languages). This dialect belongs to Bantu subgroup which belongs to same subgroup that encompasses other Southern African languages as SePulane.
