Izithakazelo Zakwa Shelembe Clan Names History and Origin
Historical records provide a valuable glimpse into your Shelembe family history. Learn about their tale and investigate where their roots may lie.
Mr SNYMAN: Sir, can the applicant confirm that Siyanda Ngubane and Mpopo Ngubane are one in the same?
Could you provide details regarding which political organization this person belonged to, for instance ANC or IFP?
Shelembe Clan Names (Izithakazelo):
The Shelembe clan, part of the Nguni-speaking communities, has its own set of praise names (Izithakazelo) used to honor their ancestors and reflect their cultural heritage.
- Shelembe
- Makhanya
- Mvelase
- Mkhwanazi
- Mlotshwa
- Makhuba
- Mhlongo
Zulu Clan Names
Clans are extended families that share common ancestors. Clans play an essential part of Zulu culture and help people gain a sense of identity, while also helping trace family ancestry and connections.
Furthermore, clans serve as the basis of social organization and patriarchal authority – boys are introduced at adolescence into age sets which form units of the army under direct control of the King at royal barracks away from home; paternal authority extends into domestic realms where polygyny is practiced while wives ranked according to seniority.
Clan names are words with deep-seated meaning that provide insight into underlying qualities, traits and characteristics. Clan names may refer to nature or animals or specific places or traits such as tall people.
One such clan name is Nkabinde which refers to this group. This term is composed of the noun “Nkabinde”, for short people; combined with an adjective such as ezinde (“tall”).
Clan names play an integral role in African culture as they identify lineage and ancestry. People typically identify with their clan, with children taking their father’s surname for identification purposes and taking on praises to distinguish their offspring as uniquely African individuals.
Furthermore, clan praises have deep personal, cultural, familial, historical ties so it is wise to do your research before giving your child one of these Zulu clan names.
Nguni Clan Names
The Nguni people make up South Africa’s largest ethnic group and reside primarily in KwaZulu-Natal Province. They are widely known for their strength, power and ability to uphold cultural identity; with an enjoyable sense of humour that helps overcome life’s difficulties making this community enjoyable to be a part of. Their Ngcekula clan is closely tied with Enoch Sontonga who composed “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika”.
Nguni refers to a family-based sociopolitical organisation common among various South African kingdoms such as Zulu, Xhosa and Swazi. It was structured along patrilineal descent patterns and virile residency with exogamous marriages occurring frequently utilizing cattle as bridewealth.
Kuper and Bryant provided lists of Swazi clans; however, some clans that the Ngoni claimed as Swazi did not appear. It may have developed later after the Ngoni had left Natal.
The Nkabinde clan name derives from two words, izinkabi (bull) and ezinde (tall), because this was their people of tall bulls. Renowned for their fighting prowess and protection during times of war, Nkabinde served to protect both land and family alike.
Ndebele Clan Names
The Ndebele tribe is widely celebrated for their extraordinary artistry, elaborate dwellings and vibrant clothing and decorations. Beadwork, which requires dexterous hands and keen eyesight is particularly revered among this people group; internationally-acclaimed painter Esther Mahlangu hails from their ranks.
Ndebele culture defines kinship through totems or izibongo/isitemo. A totem typically depicts an animal from one clan and acts as a symbolic representation of harmony between humans, animals and the natural environment; other totems can include plants, stones and rivers.
After marriage Ndebele women would traditionally adorn themselves with ornaments made of copper or brass to signify their bond with their husbands.
Ndebele children go through an elaborate series of initiation rites. Boys undergo this every four years while girls begin puberty-related ceremonies when puberty hits. Family and friends of these children frequently attend an initiation school to participate in its ceremonies and activities.
At this time, a special regiment is established and led by a boy of high social rank. Each regiment receives its own distinct name which is assigned during initiation – such as umuthi (tree) plus the adjective -khulu (big), to produce Mthimkhulu which translates to long tree.
Xhosa Clan Names
As is common among Bantu peoples, the Xhosa are devotees of ancestor worship and respect their elders as religious figures. According to their beliefs, God cannot intervene directly into everyday life and therefore must be approached through ancestral intermediaries who act as watchmen over their descendants’ daily lives, crops and livestock.
Furthermore, these individuals tend to be extremely spiritual – often making their wishes known through dreams.
The Xhosa are known to be skilled farmers and traditionally produced crops such as wheat, barley, millet and sorghum for food production.
They reared sheep and goats as livestock for slaughter while enjoying various fruits and vegetables in their diet – this included amaceba pumpkin slices cooked in plenty of water; iinkobe peeled and boiled fresh maize grains; and isidudu soft porridge made with mealie meal that they would then sprinkle salt over for breakfast!
Traditionally, the Xhosa lived in small homesteads and enjoyed close family ties. Meals would often be eaten together and stories shared. Music – particularly umtyityimbo dance form – played an integral part in their culture and often taught younger children.
Their language IsiXhosa featured unique click sounds to make learning the language fun for young learners; IsiXhosa also boasted traditions including the naming of newborn babies or ritually reenacting battles and wars reenactings or traditions associated with IsiXhosa.
