MATABELE HISTORY

The Place of a Woman among Mzilikazi's Ndebele People 

1. Indlovukazi: Queen mother or mother of the reigning king.

2. Inkosikazi: Queen or wife of the king.

3. Inkosazana: Princess or daughter of the king.

4. Umama: Mother

5. UGogo: Grand mother

6. Ubabakazi: Paternal Aunt or father's sister.

7. Umamomdala/Umamomncane: maternal aunt or mother's sister or wife of one's paternal uncle. 

8. Indodakazi: daughter 

9. Umndlunkulu: senior wife

10. Ikhohlo: junior wife

11. Umthanyelo: Deputy wife or additional wife (given to a man by his in laws as part of the bridal package). She carries the seniority of her sister or aunt in relation to other wives.

12. Inhlanzi: Back up or spare wife (given to a man whose first wife can't conceive)

13. Imbokodo: Replacement wife (given to a man whose first wife has died).

14. Umamazala: mother in law to the woman.

15. Umkhwekazi: mother in law to the man.

16. Umalokazana/umlobokazi/Umakoti: daughter in law.

17. Usonyongwana: bridal assistant 

18. Unyanewethu/unyanewabo: a woman married to the same husband as another woman. 

19. Uzakwethu/uzakwabo: women married to siblings 

20. Usebele/umlingani: the relationship between the two mothers of the couple.

21. Umlamu: younger sister in law to the groom

22. Udadewethu: sister

23. Umalumekazi: wife of one's maternal uncle.

24. Umkami: wife

Credit: George Mkhwananzi.

One of the most iconic photos of King Lobengula KaMzilikazi. Oral history records state that he 'disappeared'. The Mphezeni Nguni Historians highly refute this and say he is buried in the Saunjika Hill.Mashenga Ndhlovu is pointed out as one of those that received the King and his entourage when they first arrived in the Emthenguleni area.  This narrative started making rounds as late as the 1890s. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

30 UNIQUE NGUNI NAMES FOR BOYS AND GIRLS

Image
Looking for a fancy Nguni name for your child? Well, let's look at some 30 attractive  Nguni  names and their meanings. 1. Amandla: this name can be given to either a boy or a girl and it means 'strength or power'.  2. Amile: this is a name for a boy. It is has to do something keeping a structural holding making sure things are balanced in life.  3. Bhekizizwe: a male name, this means 'look after the nations' in the   Ngoni /  Zulu   tongue.  4. Buchule: A Xhosa  name meaning "skills; cleverness", the name applies to both boys and girls.  5. Bonginkosi: a Zulu name for a boy meaning 'thanksgiving'.  6. Butho: looking for a name that associates with a strong character for your boy, well this is the right name as it means 'Soldier' in the  Ndebele  tongue. 7. Cebisa: another fancy Xhosa name for a female is Cebisa, it means 'advice'.  8. Dela: a rare female Zulu name but one that is unique, it means to become whole, complete or satisf
Read more

THE BEGINNING OF A NGUNI STORY THAT SHAPED SOUTHERN, CENTRAL AND EAST AFRICAN KINGDOMS.

Image
The glorious and unrivaled Northern trek of King Zwangendaba from   kwaZulu-Natal  in  South Africa  is well documented, yet the world has for a long time remained divided on who he really was. Different clans or indeed Nations have indeed claimed 'ownership' of the sung hero of the Northern Nguni Kingdoms which has grown in mighty to encompass different   Nguni    States such as the  Zulu ,  Swazis , and those from the  Mthwakazi  kingdom. It has thus been a disappointing journey for most researchers and historians who have ventured into this area of discovering the roots of Zwangendaba as they have been left with more questions than answers.                                            An artistic impression of King Zwangendaba as a Youth as gotten from a Malawian Nguni artist.   After researching for more than seven (7) years by reading different kinds of information sources on this vital matter, Zambian Nguni Historian, Gumbi Kaziguda Jele, agrees with the findings of the Ncw
Read more

THE SITE OF PRINCE NSINGO JELES DEATH

Image
                                  The historical Mubanga Tree where Mphezenis first born son and crown Prince took his last breath .  This is what has now remained of the Mubanga Tree where Nsingo Jele son of King Mphezeni and Queen Lupoko Phakathi, was tied and summary shot dead in February 1898.  His grave is just 25 meters from this Mubanga Tree. A primary school and Museum have since been erected in his honor. Although it was a public execution, his father did not witness him being gunned down as he was still into hiding.  The Socialist Party of Dr Fred Mmembe remains the only political organization and institution that officially celebrates and remembers Nsingo as they have a 'Nsingo Day' which falls on the 4th of February every year.  His other son, Yakufu was also gunned down at the royal compound after the European backed soldiers did not find King Mphezeni after taking control of the capital.  Photo Credit: Richard Francis.
Read more