Izithakazelo Zakwa Mngoma Clan Names History and Origin
Mngoma refers to healers or spiritual guides. Many consider their services a calling from their ancestors, often manifested through restless dreams, visions or encounters with dead spirits.
Sangomas are trained herbalists and traditional counsellors/therapists. Many undergo training through the Ubungoma method – being mentored/apprenticed by another practising sangoma who acts as their teacher/mentor.
Mngoma Clan Names
- Mngoma
- Zulu
- Buthelezi
- Cele
- Ndlovu
- Khumalo
- Mthembu
- Ngcobo
- Nxumalo
- Mkhize
AmaBhele
Village names reflect not just words but history, culture and politics of their community. Thus it is crucial that we understand their source. One such village was EmaZizini which was named by Chief Kona when he allocated land to families from Zizi Clan of Mbembesi; to date these families continue residing there.
Both Skhomo and Mehlwemamba grew up in villages where history was taught in their homes, fully adopting rural traditional lifestyle of their families as they learned about their past through praise-singing (ubumbongi) and story telling.
Learned more about their clans and where they had originated from throughout the country; this knowledge helped them identify themselves and their place within society. They became skilled historians as a result, which is one reason they remain so dedicated to what they do now.
AmaChiya
AmaCiya, a legendary figure from Bhaca culture, was believed to be an astute individual who could hear what was being said about him even in his absence. Furthermore, AmaChiya had the power to deal with those who spoke ill of him by dealing with those responsible directly; additionally he performed isikhwapha dances within Bhaca culture as part of this legacy.
Khalimeshe ka Zulu gave birth to Madzikane as one of his sons and fled from their homeland during Umfecane’s War in the 1800s due to European colonialism; these wars sought to divide and conquer African nations by European powers like Britain.
Sangomas are traditional healers who use natural herbs to cure people. Additionally, they serve as traditional counsellors and psychiatrists. Sangomas obtain their knowledge via hereditary gifts, supernatural training or apprenticeship under an already practising sangoma.
Sangomas differ from inyangas who only work as witchdoctors who can both cure and kill using their medicine; neither enter into supernatural training nor throw bones to consult their client’s ancestors directly.
AmaMbothwe
Mbothwe: An African Clan With Deep Origins The Mbothwe clan is one of Africa’s oldest and most powerful families, dating back to when AbanTu people migrated across Africa into Southern regions like Zimbabwe.
Established by King Madzikane – who himself had multiple offspring through Didi and Luzumana; its foundation lies within Nguni spiritual tradition.
Sangomas are traditional healers specializing in using natural herbs to heal their patients, serving also as traditional counsellors and psychologists. Sangomas can assist their clients by visiting their ancestors for advice or by using magic powers such as throwing bones into a trance to communicate with spirits and communicate directly.
The Mbothwe clan are spiritual and religious individuals renowned for their powerful spirits that protect and heal families as well as communities, safeguarding culture and identity for many individuals across South Africa. Many rely on them as guides in daily life.
AmaLinda
Due to globalization, clan names have spread far beyond their original nation of origin; indeed they can sometimes even be found outside Africa itself; Mdlalose clan names in particular can often be seen outside Africa such as in places like the US.
One reason is because Mdlalose hails from the Xhobo clan which is heavily connected to Nguni nations in Southern Africa and can therefore be found across countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Notably, the Mdlalose clan has been involved in several battles and wars throughout its history, such as the famed uMfecane War of 1838 which marked one of the earliest stages of colonialism where African nations waged warfare against each other.
Before becoming a sangoma, people must answer the call of their ancestors and go through an initiation process known as ubuthwasa – similar to how doctors in western societies receive training – which will then allow them to gain divine knowledge regarding life, philosophy and science during training.
Mamlambo
Mamlambo, commonly referred to as the Brain Sucker in Zulu folklore, is an unsettling creature which preys upon humans’ faces and brains. It often appears black, with its name stemming from “mnyama,” the Zulu word for blackness – thus underscoring Mamlambo’s connection to dark waters and their depths that hold mystery for so many people.
Some researchers speculate that the mysterious creature has an animal with both croc-like head and body characteristics reminiscent of a crocodile and horse, leading them to consider that its appearance might resemble that of Congolese Mahamba (an extinct mosasaur) while others suspect it as an archaeocete – an early branch of cetacean evolution which predated whale legs.
Director Yako’s film subverts the traditional depiction of Mamlambo as a malevolent force that attacks women, instead invoked it as a life-giving spirit that grants life. This feminist interpretation seeks to highlight the horrifying reality of gender-based violence and femicide across South Africa and beyond.
It’s essential that any discussion about Mamlambo take into account cultural context; Yako and her team’s work seek to address “nefarious effects of patriarchal structures and beliefs” within Zulu culture.
