AmaMpondomise

The Mpondomise people, also called Ama-Mpondomise, are a Xhosa-speaking people.[2] Their traditional homeland has been in the contemporary era Eastern Cape province of South Africa, during apartheid they were located both in the Ciskei and Transkei region.[3] Like other separate Xhosa-speaking kingdoms such as Aba-Thembu and Ama-Mpondo, they speak Xhosa and are at times considered as part of the Xhosa people.

Mpondomise people
Ama-Mpondomise
Chief Isaac Matiwana
Total population
~3 million[1]
Regions with significant populations
 South Africa
Languages
Xhosa, English
Religion
Christianity, African Traditional Religion
Related ethnic groups
Mpondo, Xhosa, Swati, Zulu, Southern Ndebele Northern Ndebele and other Bantu peoples
The Ama-Mpondomise nation
Personi-Mpondomise
PeopleAma-Mpondomise
LanguageIsi-Xhosa
CountryEma-Mpondomiseni

The Ama-Mpondomise form part of the Abase-Mbo Nguni ethnic groups of South Africa. The formal establishment of the ethnic groups as a separate nation from the other local Bantu peoples or their Nguni cousins is estimated around 13th century.[4] The Mpondomise encountered colonists migrating further inland and eastwards from the Cape of Good Hope.[3][5]

As a result of colonial conquest, a majority of ama-Mpondomise speak Xhosa, with a minority who are bilingual speaking Mpondomise as their home language and Xhosa as a second language. Some people view Mpondomise as a dialect of Xhosa. However, the language is dying out.

History

Origins

The name Mpondomise, which means "to hold your horns upright", is a descriptor for the mountainous lands that the ethnic group occupied. It is also to signify the fighting strength of the nation. The Mpondomise originate in traditional Southern Nguni and Mbo lands in south-east Africa and the northern parts of the Western Cape. They presently reside in KwaZulu Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. They are part of the Nguni people, being part of the greatest subdivision of the Ngunis i.e. the Aba-Mbo people. Aba-Mbo people include some Zulus (Mkhize, Mavovo, Majola etc.), some Tswanas (Bapo), Swatis (particularly Dlaminis from which the monarch of Eswatini comes), Mpondos, Ama-Xesibe and Ama-Bomvu and Ama-Bomvana descendants of Nomafu. Ama-Mpondomise did not migrate to Southern Africa because the region forms parts of their land. The Lebombo born that is estimated to be about 35 000 years the oldest mathematical tool in the world, which is similar to the Ishango bone found in the Lebombo border serves as proof that Nguni and Ama-Mbo are indigenous to Southern Africa.

In abaMbo history and tradition, Mpondomise are seen as wise since the name metaphorically means to be dual in nature or to raise your horn: in other words, to be diplomatic but also be ready to attack (with the literal meaning being "hold your horns upright"). Mpondomise people are the descendants of King Mpondomise, the grandson of King Sibiside who was the leader of the once-powerful Embo nation (Aba-Mbo or Ma-Mbo).[6] It is through king King Sibiside's son Prince Njanya (the father of Prince Mpondomise) that the Mpondomise nation emerged together with other Nguni nations or ethnic groups as a force to be reckoned with. It is also through King Sibiside (the king of the aba-Mbo and grandfather of Mpondomise) that Mpondomise people are cousins to other aba-Mbo people such as Ama-Mpondo (who was Mpondomise's the twin),[7] Ama-Xesibe (born after the twins),[8] ooMkhize[9] and ooDlamini (regardless of Nguni affiliation,[10] including those who are so-called "Mfengu"[11]).

Since Mpondomise and Mpondo were twins, there is an ongoing argument as to which twin was the eldest. The most commonly held view is that Mpondomise is the senior twin.[12] It is said tha,t while out hunting, Mpondo killed a lion and refused to hand over the skin to Mpondomise as was the custom (the senior was entitled to skins of certain animals).[13] The tension between the two started from that day. Mpondo and his followers had to leave and settle elsewhere away from their father's land, as custom dictates that the senior inherits the father's land.

In terms of genealogy of kings, King Sibiside begests:[14]

  1. Njanya (Ama-Mpondo, Ama-Mpondomise, Ama-Xesibe)
  2. Mavovo (father of the Mkhize clan) King Sibiside’s heir
  3. Gubhela (his descendants also call themselves abakwa-Mkhize)
  4. Nomafu (whose descendants are known as Ama-Bomvu and Ama-Bomvana)

It is worth noting that Ama-Mpondomise also intermarried with the San people. This can be picked up in their language that has various clicks. Evidence is also found in their clan names. The Mpondomise openly assert themselves as a San woman's descendants (thole loMthwakazi).

Ama-Mpondomise Kingdom

After existing as a kingdom for over 600 years, the Ama-Mpondomise were stripped of their status by the Union of South Africa in 1904 after King Mhlontlo was accused of killing a Qumbu magistrate, Hamilton Hope, and two white police officers during the Mpondomise Revolt in 1880-81. Although Mhlontlo was acquitted of the murder charge, he lost his kingship by administrative action. The AmaMpondomise nation’s hopes were again dashed during the democratic dispensation when the Nhlapo Commission found in 2005 that they had no claim to a kingship. However, a 115-year battle, for this anti-colonial nation, to get their king and kingdom reinstalled and reinstated respectively, ended when the Eastern Cape High Court (Mthatha) officially recognised the Ama-Mpondomise's kingship. It ordered that the kingship be reinstated. With the presiding judge setting aside the Tolo Commission's decision to oppose the AmaMpondomise’s claim of kingship.[15]

Genealogy of kings

The most prominent of all the kings of the Mpondomise kings was Majola (or Jola). Both royal houses include him in their clan names.

  • King Sibiside (Fathered: Prince Njanya & Prince Shange & Prince Ngcongo & Prince Hlengwa & Prince Madlebe & Princess Lebuka & Princess Nomafu)

(1128-1202)

  • King Njanya (Fathered: Prince Mpondo & Prince Mpondomise & Prince Xesibe & Prince Nyambose & Prince Chibi)

(1151-1224)

  • King Mpondomise (Fathered: Prince Snduntu & Prince Hlahlane & Prince Vamba & Prince Vemvela)

(1205-1277) [Reigned:1225 Till 1277]

  • King Snduntu (Fathered: Prince Nxunxa & Prince Shukungana & Prince Gebaseba)

(1229-1303) [Reigned:1277 Till 1303]

  • King Nxunxa (Fathered: Prince Blambeza & Prince Maswaba & Prince Hlabamba)

(1263-1330) [Reigned:1303 Till 1330]

  • King Blambeza (Fathered: Prince Malangana & Prince Mdiwaba & Prince Malamana)

(1291-1355) [Reigned:1330 Till 1355]

  • King Malangana (Fathered: Prince Sikhomo & Prince Dhulunga & Prince Makhwana & Prince Ntswaza)

(1322-1385) [Reigned:1355 Till 1385]

  • King Sikhomo (Fathered: Prince Rhudulu & Prince Hlombose & Prince Lawuza)

(1348-1410) [Reigned:1385 Till 1410]

  • King Hlombose (Fathered: Prince Ntose & Prince Lamanada & Prince Dondobola)

(1375-1443) [Reigned:1410 Till 1443]

who was assisted by his maternal uncle Prince Rhudulu led the Aba-Mbo movement from their third settlement in Natal/Swatini, settled near the source of a mysterious river called Dedesi. This is where they resided with Ama-Xhosa and Aba-Thembu under the Kings Togu and Hala respectively. Ama-Mpondo crossed the Mzimkhulu river first and. Hlombose’s great son and heir Ntose took over on the demise of King Hlombose.

  • King Ntose (Fathered: Prince Ngcwina & Prince Cwerha & Prince Mpinga & Prince Dlombo & Prince Debeza.)

(1409-1461) [Reigned:1443 Till 1461]

  • King Ngcwina (Fathered: Prince Cirha & Prince Dosini & Prince Nxotwe & Prince Zumbe & Prince Ngcinase & Prince Ngcitshana & Prince Gcaga & Prince Ngqukatha & Prince Bhukwana)

(1434-1498) [Reigned:1461 Till 1498]

  • King Cirha (Fathered: Prince Sabe & Princess Lodumo)

(1468-1522) [Reigned:1498 Till 1522]

  • King Sabe (Fathered: Prince Mhlande & Prince Mhaga & Prince Krancolo & Prince Gqwetha & Prince Gqubusha)

(1493-1545) [Reigned:1522 Till 1545]

  • King Mhlande (Fathered: Prince Nvongeza & Prince Ngxabane)

(1518-1567) [Reigned:1545 Till 1567]

  • King Nvongeza (Fathered: Prince Qengeba)

(1539-1592) [Reigned:1567 Till 1592]

  • King Qengeba (Fathered: Prince Jongolunde)

(1557-1624) [Reigned:1592 Till 1624]

  • King Jongolunde (Fathered: Prince Dhlazane)

(1581-1649) [Reigned:1624 Till 1649]

  • King Dhlazane (Fathered: Prince Ngwanya)

(1616-1673) [Reigned:1649 Till 1673]

  • King Ngwanya (Fathered: Prince Phahlo)

(1642-1708) [Reigned:1673 Till 1708]

  • King Phahlo (Fathered: Prince Sonthlo & Princess Mbingwa & Prince Mgabisa)

(1668-1732) [Reigned:1708 Till 1732]

  • Queen Mbingwa or otherwise known as (Mamani kaPhahlo) , was the eldest daughter of King Phahlo Female children, and she became queen in her own right and influenced the succession of her brother king Sonthlo.

(1702-1758) [Reigned:1732 Till 1758]

[16])

  • King Sonthlo (Fathered: Prince Mngcambe}

(1718-1771) [Reigned:1758 Till 1771]

  • King Mngcambe (Fathered: Prince Myeki & Prince Xhoki & Prince Gxumisa)

(1745-1807) [Reigned:1771 Till 1807]

  • King Myeki (Fathered: Prince Matiwane & Prince Mbhali & Prince Mtshotsho)

(1778-1851) [Reigned:1807 Till 1851]

  • King Matiwane (Fathered: Prince Mhlontlo & Prince Xhabadiya & Prince Ndzantsi)

(1804-1869) [Reigned:1851 Till 1869]

  • King Mhlontlo (Fathered: Prince Tshalisi & Prince Ntabankulu)

(1840-1912) [Reigned:1869 Till 1912]

  • King Tshalisi (Fathered: Prince Sigidi & Prince Dailiza)

(1884-1936) [Reigned:1912 Till 1936]

  • King Sigidi (was first to be king but than he died before he could produce his own Children so than

the royal deciseded give the throne to his younger brother). (1919-1962) [Reigned:1936 Till 1962]

  • King Dailiza (Fathered: Prince Welisha)

(1925-1984) [Reigned:1962 Till 1984]

  • King Welisha (Fathered: Prince Zwelozuko)

(1952-2018) [Reigned:1984 Till 2018]

  • King Zwelozuko (is the current reigning monarch of Ama-Mpondomise people in

south Africa today or otherwise known as (Luzuko). (1978-Alive) [since 2018 Till Present Date]

Prince Luzuko is yet to ascend the throne. His coronation has been delayed by the Dosini royal line's unsuccessfully contest for the succession.[17]

  • Dosini’s descedants in terms of the Ama-Mpondomise Kingship claimants were: Dosini - Nqabashe-Nceleduna - Mqhorana - Hala - Marule - Mxoko - Gxaba - Nyakatya - Sigiwili - Masethi (from whom this royal family derives its surname)- Ntamnani - Myezo - Ntombenkonzo. Ntombenkonzo is the current claimant from this line. She has lost the case in court -see court papers in references[18]

Language

Colonists wrongly identified Mpondomise as Xhosa. Some colonists later identified Mpondomise as a dialect of Xhosa. Consequently, ama-Mpondomise people had to learn and speak Xhosa fluently to conduct business. Contemporarily, Mpondomise people speak Xhosa as a home language or as a second language in order to conduct business since Mpondomise is not recognised as an official language of the Republic of South Africa. There is a minority, comprising mostly older people, who speak the language. They are concentrated in the far eastern part of the Eastern Cape, primarily in the OR Tambo District Municipality, in the Tsolo and Qumbu villages where the great house and right-hand house reside, respectively. Other languages similar to Mpondomise include Swati, Ndebele and the various Tekela languages of nations such as ama-Mpondo, Ama-Hlubi and Ama-Zizi.

Ama-mpondomise are learning Xhosa at schools and are required to select Xhosa as their preferred language on official documents such as government forms. Consequently, they are slowly losing their language. This is also evident in that ama-Mpondomise linguistically identify themselves with their cousins, ama-Xhosa, as Xhosa speaking people; while retaining a separate ethnic identity as ama-Mpondomise.

Mpondomise clans and tributary clans

The Mpondomise people comprise various clans. First are clans that arise out of the many houses of the kings. Second are clans of the older Aba-Mbo nation from which Mpondomise was born out. Therefore clan names are indicative of people's ancestors (or dynasties and cadet branches). Third, there are clans or ethnic groups who have immigrated to the kingdom of the Mpondomise and now pay tribute to the Mpondomise kingdom.

In more detail[19]

  • From Bhukwana – ooMbara, Mtshobo, Phaphulengonyama, Into ezingaphathwa mntu ngoba zizinkosi ngokwazo
  • From Debeza – OoDebeza, ngoJebe, Nonyanya, Nongoqo, Mbeka Ntshiyini Bathi uqumbile, Khonkcoshe Mbokodo engava mkwetsho
  • From Dosini – ooDosini, Ncele, Ntose, Nqabashe, Ngcelenduna, Mqhorhana, Ngxow'inoboya, uNoyiila, uNogqaz'umthonyama, isihlobo sikaMthimkhulu, sikaBhungane yena mntu ungaphezulu nakuThixo kuba abantu ubanike amabele, Ingqoq'enebal, Ngwanya kaMajola, uMajola inyoka enothando kuba ityelela abafazi endlwini (The royals of the Mpondomise, the right-hand house).[20]
  • From Gxarha – Gxarha -Cwerha, Vambane, Mahlahla, Mlawu, Photwana
  • From Jola – SingaMampondomse ngohlanga (i.e. we are ethnically Mpondomise), ooJola, ooJoliNkomo, ooMphaNkomo, ooQengeba, OoNgwanya, Nomakhala, Njuza, S'thukuthezi, sithandwa mhla kukubi, Hoshode, Hakaha, mfaz' obele 'nye omabele made, oncancisa naphesheya komlambo (The royals of the Mpondomise, the great house).[20] The South African politician, Fikile Mbalula is from this clan.[21]
  • From Mpehle – amaMpehle, Vengwa, Dikana, Cabashe, Nohushe
  • From Mpinga – ooMpinga, Mawawa, Mbala kaNkqoshe, Mpondomise, Ntose, Nto'mntwana, Ngwangwashe, uSenzwa, Sineka, Mbetshane, Hlahla lamsik' umntu esendeni, Ngceza, Sintila, Nyaw'zinoshukela, mzukulu kaSityulu, kheth'omthandayo, yazi b'inobaya ifanelwe ngabafana. This is the clan of Enoch Sontonga, the author of "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika", part of the National Anthem of Republic of South Africa.
  • From Nxasana – NguSikonza, uNxasana, uTotoba, uDunjane, uMalilelwaziintombi zithi ndizeke, adinamama andinatata, uBhili, uMagazo, uLunguza, gastyeketye umbona obomvu othandwa ngabantwana
  • From Nxotwe – ooNxotwe, Gabazi, Qamkazi, Mfuza afulele okwelifu lemvula, Mpondomise
  • From Nxuba – ooNxuba, Mduma, Rhudulu, Mngcengane
  • From Qhinebe – ooQhinebe, Gqugqugqu, Zithonga-zithathu, Haha, Njemnyama, Nondela, Phazima, Mpondomise, Mlunjwa, Phalela, Mkhomanzi, Duka namahlathi, Umth’ omde owavelela eHoyita!
  • From Skhoji – (Inzala ka William Saunders wase Scotland)
  • From Skhomo – ooUmntu womlambo,Tshangisa, Mhlatyana, Rhudulu, uNxub’ongafiyo ofa ngokuvuthelwa, Mngwevu, Jola, Manz’amnyama, Qengebe, Mhaga
  • From Zongozi – ooSenzela ooPhondo liyagexeza (bazalwa nguNtose kaCirha ikumkani yama-Mpondomise, hayi lo wama-Xhosa)

There are tributary clans such as:

  • Mphuthi, Nyathi, Msuthu, uRhahla, Rhabani, Tsiki, Nhose; Oogaxel’umbengo, boya beNyathi, Amathol’enkomo zikaNyathi, abeSuthu, ebePhuth'ephuthini! Oozishuba zimdakana phesheya komlanjana wegqili, Izilwana zona zehla ezintabeni zokhahlamba ngeziluluthwana, sithetha ngenzala ka Nose (Nhose) kubafazi bakhe abathathu kuMawushe ewe uMatshezi naye uMamhlwane. Esikhoyo isikululwana sesabo OoQhaziyana, OoGeorge kwa noLanga iinkulu zakhe. Ziintsuthu zaseQuthini (Sotho) ngokomlandu kodwa ngenxa yemfuduko zokhokho bafumaneka Eastern Cape kuTsolo kwela ma-Mpondomise eMcwangele [ama-Mpondomise ngokuma] “Nje ngoko namagama ezixela ziintsuthu ezi ngobuhlanga”
  • Nyathi uMsuthu, uMphuthi, uRhahla, uRhabani, uTsiki, uNhose; Oogaxel’umbengo, boya beNyathi, Amathol’enkomo zikaNyathi, abeSuthu, ebePhuth'ephuthini! Oozishuba zimdakana phesheya komlanjana wegqili, Izilwana zona zehla ezintabeni ngeziluluthwana, Nje ngoko namagama ezixela ziintsuthu ezi ngobuhlanga” sithetha ngenzala ka Nose (Nhose) kubafazi bakhe abathathu kuMawushe, uMatshezi naye umaMhlwane. Esikhoyo isikululwana sesabo oonyana neenkulu zakhe,uQhaziyana uGeorge kwa noLanga. Ziintsuthu zaseQuthini (Sotho) ngokomlandu kodwa ngenxa yemfuduko/ mfeguza zokhokho bafumaneka Eastern Cape kuTsolo kwela maMpondomise eMcwangele [amaMpondomise ngokuma]

Culture and religion

Among the Mpondomise people, most practise African religions alongside Christianity. African religions encompass ancestral worship (or veneration) and sometimes some Totemism in which a spiritual meaning is attached to some animals and plants, which may be deified. For Mpondomise people this is uMajola (mole snake).[22] This snake is revered and venerated. They believe that it visits a newborn "to prepare it for a successful and safe adult life. It comes as a friend and protector. The friendship it expresses is not anchored in a benign demonstration of goodwill but rather an active expression of solidarity and striving to support and encourage long-term success of the young and growing members of the human race."[23] A visitation from uMajola signifies good fortune. It also means the ancestors are showing their favour on the visited people or family. Killing the snake is believed to have severe physiological and psychological consequences. This last part is central to the plot of the famous Xhosa novel Ingqumbo yeminyanya ("The Wrath of the Ancestors").[24] The snake is common in South Africa in the provinces where generally abaMbo (and by extension amaMpondomise) mostly reside: KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.

Notable People

See also

References
  1. Census 2011. "O.R.Tambo District (Administrative location of the Ama-Mpondomise Royal houses in Tsolo and iQumbu)". adrianfrith. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  2. Mpondo people, Encyclopædia Britannica (2007)
  3. Diagram Group (2013). Encyclopedia of African Peoples. Routledge. p. 158. ISBN 978-1-135-96334-7.
  4. HIGH COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA (2020). "In the matter between: KING PHAHLO ROYAL FAMILY and DOSINI ROYAL FAMILY" (PDF): 1. Retrieved 6 April 2021. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. Timothy J. Stapleton (2016). Encyclopedia of African Colonial Conflicts. ABC-CLIO. p. 176. ISBN 978-1-59884-837-3.
  6. Hammond-Tooke, W.D (1968). "The Morphology of Mpondomise Descent Groups". Africa. 38 (1): 26–46. doi:10.2307/1157337. JSTOR 1157337. S2CID 145575810. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  7. News24. "The white man never learns". Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  8. Xhosa Culture. "Ama-Xesibe Fikeni Monument To Remember Chief Fikeni & Wives".
  9. UKZN (2017). "Aba-Mbo people history". DISA. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  10. "Finding our Mkhize past". Archive and Public Culture. UCT. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  11. Daily Dispatch. "Know African history and identity before reviving mental colonialism". Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  12. Mpinga, Senzwa. "Even though this clan is so big it has a clear history of its origin. Their history is as follows".
  13. Soga, John Henderson (1930). The South Eastern Bantu (Abe-Nguni, Aba-Mbo, Ama-Lala). Witwatersrand University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-06682-2
  14. Mkhize, Siyabonga (2009). Uhlanga Lwas'eMbo. Sibiside Publishers. ISBN 978-0-620-43055-5
  15. Legal Brief. "AmaMpondomise kingship must be reinstated – ruling". Legalbrief.
  16. Scheub, Harold (2009). Shadows: Deeper Into Story. ISBN 9781893311862.
  17. Dispatch. "High court dismisses Dosini bid to appeal Phahlo royal crown".
  18. Dispatch. "High court dismisses Dosini bid to appeal Pahlo royal crown".
  19. Jackson, A.O. (1975). The ethnic composition of the Ciskei and Transkei. Ciskei (South Africa): Department of Bantu Administration and Development.
  20. Zenani, N.M.; Bhotomane, N.; Scheub, H. (2006). South African voices: The way we travelled : oral history and poetry. Parallel Press, University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries. p. 22. ISBN 9781893311718. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
  21. Sowetan Live (2008). "Mbalula goes to the mountain". Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  22. Bongela, S.K. (2001). "IsiHlonipho among AmaXhosa" (PDF). University of South Africa: 57. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  23. SA History. "Order Companions O.R". Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  24. Jordan, A.C. (1940). Ingqumbo Yeminyanya - The Wrath of the Ancestors. ISBN 9780868522289.
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