Izithakazelo Zakwa Ngomane Clan Names History and Origin
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Bryant notes that Soshangana belonged to the junior branch of Ndwandwe royal house under Zwide. He was the son of Zikode Nxumalo kaGasa and Langa KaXaba was his brother in this branch.
Ngomane Clan Names
- Ngomane
- Mhlaba
- Khondlo
- Bhengu
- Mzizi
- Ncwane
- Hlubi
- Gazu
- Hlabisa
- Nyawo
Ngomane
The Ngomane clan is a large and influential South African clan of the Bantu people, situated primarily in southern and eastern Africa with most living in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Their culture and heritage remain highly esteemed today.
Initial Ngomane clan was an independent group that later amalgamated to form a small kingdom in KwaZulu-Natal’s northern region. This kingdom survived until Zwide’s defeat in 1846 when its domains were taken over by the Union government to form Hectorspruit, Komatipoort and Strydom Block Farming Scheme for white farmers.
They followed both Shangaan and Tsonga cultures, speaking Siswati as their formal language. With royal support and traditional leaders selected according to customary succession laws, these people formed what is now the AmaShangane Traditional Authority in Bushbuckridge led by Hosi Eric Nxumalo.
The Ngomane are believed to have come from Ndwandwe, a state which once spanned most of Zululand from Pongola River in the north to Black Umfolozi River in the south and was one of several Nguni kingdoms within it – boasting one of the strongest tribes within it.
Tsonga
Tsonga are Bantu-speaking people living mainly in southern Africa. Their main occupation is farming and pastoralism; their food comes largely from small-scale farms where they grow sorghum, corn and other grains for livestock raising.
Their women typically play an essential role in community life such as farmwork, childcare duties and handicraft production; many Tsonga men depend on wage labor to earn an income; these men migrate frequently into urban areas in search of work.
Tsonga are an ethnic community made up of different dialects who belong to one cultural and linguistic community. Their name derives from Nguni term amading’indawo which means those seeking refuge. First arriving to South Africa during the early 19th century and settling mainly in Northern Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal).
Junod H A (1905: 475) suggests that Nghunghunyani did not attempt to reconquer Tsonga communities that established themselves outside his Gaza Kingdom.
Rather he established diplomatic relations with those Ronga communities which were under his father and grandfather’s jurisdiction, such as Magona at Chipinga, Xika in Komatipoort and Barberton districts as well as Louis Tritchardt Malamulele Tzaneen districts and Valoyi Valoyi in eastern Giyani Tzaneen districts and Nkuna Bushbuckridge.
Tsonga are members of the Shangaan cluster of Bantu-speaking peoples in Southeast Africa. Most Tsonga speak Siswati as their official language; nevertheless, they take great pride in their heritage and culture while possessing unique dialects.
Soshangane
Tsonga culture recognizes an intimate link between creation (ntumbuloko) and Tilo, the supernatural power responsible for making physical world, as well as an invisible spiritual body called Ndzuti that reflects individual characteristics of those born into it. Tsonga believers consider Tilo part of their Creator; its spirit enters their bodies at birth before leaving at death to join its ancestors in heaven.
Tsonga people believe there are two types of people in this life: those who do good and those who do evil. Good acts are rewarded by Tilo; bad actions are punished by Tilo.
Additionally, they believe in something known as kwizungu, an ancient form of Obelongiso that allows an individual to see spirits or ghosts.
Linah notes that during the Mfecane upheaval in present-day Zululand, Soshangane left his homeland of Zululand in present-day Zululand to conquer Thonga communities in Southern Mozambique.
His followers, which include current tribes Mabunda and Maswanganyi today, assimilation into these Thonga communities while maintaining some traditions while adopting others from their new neighbours.
Adopting Nguni language of Dzonga was also part of their adaptation. Young Tsonga men were taught how to fight using Shaka’s military system, overrunning Portuguese communities in Mozambique.
When fleeing Soshangane’s rule and coming to Tzaneen in 1836 or 1834 (depending on your source), Nkuna community members sought refuge with Queen Maale of Bakgaga community of Tzaneen who welcomed them with open arms and welcomed them into her Bakgaga community which eventually took over Mozambique.
Vatsonga
Vatsonga refers to an ethnic group made up of predominantly Tsonga people from southern Mozambique and South Africa’s Limpopo and Mpumalanga regions. Descended primarily from Nguni Bantu peoples, but with some Shona and Chopi roots.
Decentralized society with multiple spoken languages; most prevalently found in South Africa and Mozambique but expanding rapidly throughout Zimbabwe and northern Eswatini.
Misconceptions regarding the history and origins of Tsonga can often arise from their non-tribal status; H A Junod wrote that they did not have one single ruler who led them. H A Junod noted the term “Shangaan” was often used when discussing them; this label, however, never became acceptable among Tsongas themselves.
Soshangane himself never held absolute authority over the Tsonga people; rather he served as chief in Gaza chiefdom and controlled parts of it which included both Tsonga and Nguni members of his kingdom. Later in his life he sought assistance from Thulamahashi his brother to administer his people effectively.
Historical records can provide a glimpse into your family’s past. They can reveal where and what ancestors lived, worked for a living and more. Furthermore, historical records provide insight into culture and traditions of your ancestors as well as immigration data.
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