A CONTROVERSIAL GRAVE

 

ZWANGENDABA’S GRAVE: SEARCHING FOR THE TRUTH.

This is the internationally recognized site for the Ngoni foremost leader and their inspirational figurehead, Zwangendaba. Located approximately 18.6 miles from the border town of Nakonde in North of Zambia, the site is one of the few UNESCO site in the copper rich country situated in Southern Africa.

Zwangendaba whose name means ‘hear by report’ is perhaps the greatest Ngoni ruler to ever grace the face of the earth. The mere mention if his name brings the whole Ngoni kingdom on its feet in great admiration, standing ovation and adulation.

Given the decorated resume of this warrior, it is thus not surprising that his final resting place still commands great respect and attracts people from all walks of life. But, this particular site despite the pubic image that it attracts is overshadowed by a great controversy; or perhaps a hidden secret that few outside the Zambian borders know about.

You see according to some books of History and indeed the history lessons taught in Zambian schools, Zwangendaba died in uFipa area of Songea in neighboring Tanzania at a place called Mapupu or simply ‘the place of dreams'. One of the earliest writers of Ngoni history, W.H.J. Rangeley wrote. “At Mapupu,at some date between 1845 and 1848, Zwangendaba died. 

Before his death he is said to have prophesized that his successors would see the coming of the white men and the wane of the aNgoni power”.

Further, according to an article by the University of Makerere, Zwangendaba [died.1848, Mapupo near Ufipa,Tanganyika [now Tanzania] African king (reighned c.1815-1848, led his Jele/Jere people on a monumental migration of more than 1,000 miles, lasting more than 20 years.

So then, how did the GREAT LION of the Ngonis find himself buried on Zambian soil when the country’s education system teaches its history students that he died in Tanzania? Is it possible that Zwangendaba died in Songea but was surprisingly buried in Nakonde?

Let us attempt to answer these questions based on the available accounts or rather version of events.

1. There is a school of thought that claims that Zwangendaba never entered bemba land. According to this theory, the grave in question belongs to Zwangendaba’s son and Mpezeni’s half brother,Mperembe.

2.Another account states that for one to debate authentically herein,there is a dire need to understand how uZwangendaba died.This version posits that Zwangendaba's death has two sides of the coin;the tail which claims that the Ngoni hero died due to natural causes whilst the head contends that he was injured in battle and succumbed to the spear wounds after a few days.This comment definitely needs further clarification, and i will discombobulate the argument of this theoretical base in a moment.

Starting with the first assertion, it is less likely that this grave is for Mperembe. The custodians of this gravesite,the Bisa people have vehemently refused that this grave in their land belongs to anyone else apart from Zwangendaba.

Evens so,Mperembe is said to have trekked to Malawi in the1870s after being expelled by the Bemba King Chitimukulu. He would later find himself in Mzimba under the leadership of King Mbelwa in Northern Malawi. Thus in short, he never died on Zambian soil.True to this account,Mperembe is a Ngoni chieftainship in Malawi under Mbelwa.

Now back to the second point;understanding the cause of death of the GREAT NGONI KING. The theory states that if Zwangendaba died due to spear wounds,then it is possible that he was injured in Tanzania but he managed to 'crawl' into neighboring Zambia where he finally gave up his ghost. 

Of particular interest to the reader is the fact that both sons of Zwangendaba,Mbelwa (King of the Jere Ngonis of Malawi) and his elder brother Mpezeni (King of the Jere Ngonis of Zambia) officially recognize this site as their father's final resting place. 

Additionally, Zwangendaba's once mighty Induna, Zulu Gama (King of the Ngonis of Songea) does not refute the claims that this is Zwangendaba's gravesite nor does he show a contending one in his Kingdom.

After all this is said, can the Ngoni Nation run to the science of DNA in an attempt to bury this controversy once and for all?

The author is a 30 year old Ngoni from Chipata,in the East of Zambia.Hailing from LANGA village in Mfumbeni Krall (under Senior Chief NZamane).