NOTABLE WIVES AND ROYAL SONS OF NGUNI KING, M'MBELWA I
Who was M'mbelwa?
Perhaps before expounding on the recognizable names of M'mbelwa's wives and sons, we should initially explain to the readers who this highly distinguished man was.
Now, M'mbelwa was the first born son of King Zwangendaba Jele and Queen Munene of the Nzima clan of present day Eswatini. He was born in present day Malawi in 1841. He was not the first born child of King Zwangendaba and Queen Munene as the later initially only bore the King female children such as Lomagazi Jele who married a missionary called Mayayi Nhlane Chiputula.
Prince M'mbelwa's was born when his father's Kingdom was experiencing a number of deaths especially among the people that had initially started the trek with the Ngonis inspirational figurehead. This may as well explain why the young brother of Lomagazi was named by such a name that's Zulu, meaning burial ground or place.
Inkosana M'mbelwa was born in his mother's village of Ekwendeni which means a place of marriage. He thus grew up in this same village.
M'mbelwa in 1845
In 1845, M'mbelwa who was less than age five (5) lost his father, King Zwangendaba. Almost immediately, the young prince was caught in the succession wrangles as different groups fought for who their preferred candidates to succeed King Zwangendaba.
After more than four years without an eventual winner in this internal conflict of Zwangendaba's Nguni state, his Kingdom finally crumbled! At least four different groups/kingdoms were created, each taking their own routes. The supporters of Prince Mbelwa and other three sons of Zwangendaba, took the South East route and founded themselves in the Tumbuka Nation in Northern Malawi. In 1857, this group was finally unified and crowned M'mbelwa as the first Inkosi YaMakhosi M'mbelwa I.
M'mbelwa's first base
A bird's eyeview of Ekwendeni, located some 20 kilometers away from Mzuzu City in Mzimba District. The Photo and narrative has been provided by George Chataya.
Inkosi Ya Makosi M'mbelwa 1 and abeNguni left Choma, relocating to this place (Ekwendeni) where they settled among the Tumbuka, and created such villages as Ekwendeni, Ekwaiweni, Ezondweni, Enyameni, Emanyaleni, Chomfazi, Efelanja, Enkhuhlweni, Ehlekweni, Emazinyeni, Engcongolweni, Emvuyeni (short form of Emveyeyweni) and others.
It took many years before M'mbelwa 1 left the place. From here, the abeNguni spread their cultural influence to almost every district in northern Malaŵi.
It is here that the CCAP Synod of Livingstonia missionaries found M'mbelwa 1, Mtwalo 1, Mabilabo, General Ng'onomo Makamo, Lomagazi, Mahruli Nkosi and the two widows of Zwangendaba - Mmene Nzima and Xutu Nzima.
They preached the Gospel which came as a relief to the Tumbuka people and some Ngoni who said they were tired of lengthy migrations and wars. After Christianity was accepted, dispersions and anti-Ngoni rebellions followed.
The Aftermath!
After finally settling down, M'mbelwa would begin his own family and established villages/places for his wives just like his father had done.
He married Khuwaza Makwakwa initially. It was Queen Khuwaza who birthed the King's his first born son, Chindi in 1873. Chindi, whose sobriquet was 'Tanje Wa Mbuto' was born at a place called Njuyu.
History records, King M'mbelwa's principal wife or simply the Great wife as Nyakamuwi/Nyakamubi from the Ngwenya clan. She however only bore female children for the King. This forced the elders to get two Inshanzi for Queen Nyakamubi Ngwenya.
These were Madhlokolo Nzima and Sotshaya Nhlezi. Both these were placed in the house of Queen Nyakamubi, to be bear male children on her behalf
Sadly or is it fortunately, both Shanzi fell pregnant, almost at the same time. Thus, they were some quarrels in this house.
This forced Sotshaya Nhlezi to move to another house of the King's other wife called Bandike Nzima. She too only bore female children and her village was called Esigodhleni/Emachakachakeni.
In this house, Prince Muzukubola Jele was born from Sotshaya Nhlezi.
The other Shanzi, Madhlokolo Nzima too birthed Mbalekelwa Chimpempo Jele in 1875 in the house of Nyakamubi Ngwenya.
Another son of Mbelwa worthy mentioning is Mkhuzo Jele who was born in the house of Queen Nyachilinda.
M'mbelwa's death and his successor
After a decorated reign, King M'mbelwa died in 1891. He was not succeeded by Prince Chindi but rather Inkosana Mbalekelwa Chimpempo Jele who became popularly known as Chimutunga.
He (Chimutinga) was however deposed by the British in 1915 after refusing his people from joining in the war of the colonial masters. He was only allowed to return in the 1920s but he was demoted to a mere 'village headman' by the colonial govt. It should be mentioned however that Chimutinga was still viewed as Inkosi YaMakhosi by his people.
Meanwhile Chindi and Mzikubola rose into the ranks of Makhosi and their bloodlines still rule in these positions to this day; King M'mbelwa is the premier Traditional Authority of Mzimba' district of Northern Malawi.
Worthy mentioning is the fact that when Chindi was given his own land to rule,in meetings with his Zindunas,he was fond of saying 'Uthuni', meaning 'what are you saying' to invoke contributions from them on matters. In the long run, the people started saying we have gone to that place where the Inkosi likes saying 'Uthuni' hence the name of his base to this day.
Lazalo Mkhosi Chikupizya Jele reigned as Inkosi YaMakhosi M'mbelwa II for 31 years.
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