Mpondomise people


The Mpondomise people, also called Ama-Mpondomise, are a Xhosa-speaking people. Their traditional homeland has been in the contemporary era Eastern Cape province of South Africa, and during apartheid they were located Transkei region. Like other separate mostly Xhosa-speaking kingdoms such as Aba-Thembu and Ama-Mpondo, they speak Xhosa and are at times mistakenly considered as part of the Xhosa people.
The Ama-Mpondomise form part of the AbaMbo ethnic group of South Africa one of few indigenous groups of Southern Africa alongside the San and Khoekhoe. The formal establishment of the ethnic groups as a separate nation from the other local AbaMbo. They are not Nguni but some people turn to confuse them with Nguni people due to the intermarriage. Their Kingdom was established thousands of years before the European and other native tribes arrived. One of their notable kings is estimated around 13th century. The San and AmaMpondomise are the earliest residence of what was later to be renamed East Griqualand by the colonialist government of Hamilton Hope chief Magistrate. The area of Maclear did not have Griquas or Khoe descendants up until Adam Kok arrived later in the 1800s and found both the San and AmaMpondomise residing and intermarrying; in fact, one of the most notable royal clans of AmaMpondomise, the Jola/Majola clan, are descendants of the intermarriage between AmaMpondomise and the San. The Mpondomise encountered Dutch and English colonists migrating further inland and eastwards from the Cape of Good Hope.
As a result of colonial conquest, a majority of ama-Mpondomise speak Xhosa, with a minority who are bilingual speaking Isi-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 Ama-Mpondomise-People originate in traditional Southern Africa and Embo|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, some Tswanas, Swatis, Mpondos, Ama-Xesibe-people and the Ama-Bomvu or Ama-Bomvana are the descendants of princess Nomafu the daughter of King Sibiside. the Ama-Mpondomise-people 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 Abe-Nguni-people and the Ama-Mbo-people are indigenous to Southern Africa.
In the aba-Mbo-history and tradition, Ama-Mpondomise-people 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. the Ama-Mpondomise-people are the descendants of King Mpondomise himself son of Khubazi, the grandson of King Sibiside Son of Sidwabasiluthuli who was the leader of the once-powerful Embo-nation. It is through King Sibiside's son Prince Khubazi Aka Njanya so that's how the Ama-Mpondomise-nation emerged together with other Abe-Nguni-nations or ethnic groups as a force to be reckoned with. It is also through King Sibiside Son of Sidwabasiluthuli So that's how the Ama-Mpondomise-people are cousins to other aba-Mbo-people such as the Ama-Mpondo-people, Ama-Xesibe-people, ooMkhize and ooDlamini.
Since Prince Mpondomise and Prince Mpondo were twins, there is an ongoing argument as to which twin was the eldest. The most commonly held view is that King Mpondomise is the senior twin. It is said that while out hunting, Prince Mpondo killed a lion and refused to hand over the skin to Prince Mpondomise as was the custom. The tension between the two started from that day. Prince 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 Son of Sidwabasiluthuli begests:
Prince Khubazi Aka Njanya

Prince Mavovo
King Sibiside's heir apparent
Princess Nomafu
It is worth noting that Ama-Mpondomise-people 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 Ama-Mpondomise-people openly assert themselves as a San woman's descendants.

The Ama-Mpondomise and Ama-Bhaca Conflict

According to Mpondomise counselor Vethe Mziziba, AmaBhaca found Ama-Mpondomise-people at Mcuthu and defeated them however the Ama-Mpodomise-people would just not submit to the letter because Ama-Bhaca-people were rather backward people who would gruesomely kill even defenseless old men women and children in times of battle, faced with this crisis Ama-Mpondomise-people appealed for help from AbaThembu, King Ngubengcuka agreed to join hands with Ama-Mpondomise-People against Ama-Bhaca-people and proceeded to cross the Tsitsa river to join them.
Both the Ama-Mpondomise-people and AbaThembu under King Ngubengcuka were defeated once again, however, after King Ngubengcuka sort a rather diplomatic approach towards the King of AmaBhaca Madzikane the war came to a halt and instead of continuing to expand, the Ama-Bhaca-people settled near Ama-Gcina for a short but peaceful period up until their eventual defeat by the combined forces of AbaThembu, AmaGcaleka, AmaQwathi, AmaMpondomise and some Irish Mercenaries who had defected from the Cape Colony.

Ama-Mpondomise-Kingdom

After existing as a kingdom for over 800 years, the Ama-Mpondomise-people were stripped of their Royal status by the Union of South Africa in 1904 after King Mhlontlo Ka-Matiwane was accused of killing a Qumbu magistrate, Hamilton Hope, and two white police officers during the Ama-Mpondomise-people's Revolt in 1880–81. Although King Mhlontlo Ka-Matiwane was acquitted of the murder charge, he lost his kingship Status by administrative action. The Ama-Mpondomise-nation 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 the kingdom reinstalled and reinstated respectively, ended when the Eastern Cape High Court 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 Ama-Mpondomise's claim of kingship.

Genealogy of the kings

The most prominent of all the kings of the Ama-Mpondomise was King Myeki. Both royal houses include him in their clan names.King-Mnguni-1st-King-Yeyeye-1st-King-Godongwane-1st-King-Yeyeye-2nd-King-Godongwane-2nd-King-Ntunsingana-King-Mumbo-King-Hlumbo-King-Mbokane-King-Mbazane-King-Lobamba-King-Lubombo-King-Mbabane-King-Mankayane-King-Hlathikhulu-King-Zumbane-King-Nhlangano-King-Mbombela-King-Zehlendaba-King-Gubhela-King-Khuboni-King-Mgebelezana-King-Ndlozela-King-Sidwabasiluthuli-King-Sibiside-
& Prince-Shange & Prince-Ngcongo & Prince-Hlengwa & Princess-Madlebe & Princess-Lebuka & Princess-Nomafu=]King-Khubazi--King-Mpondomise-King-Snduntu-King-Nxunxa-King-Bambeza-King-Malangana-King-Sikhomo-Regency-King-Rhudulu-King-Hlombose-King-Ntose-Regency-King-Cwerha-King-Ngcwina-King-Cirha-King-Sabe-King-Mhlandela--King-Vongeza-King-Qengeba-
& Prince-Tshanzi=]King-Majola--King-Hlazane-King-Ngwanya-King-Phahlo-Queen-Mbingwa-
or otherwise known as
.King-Sonthlo-Regency-King-Mgabisa-King-Mngcambe-Regency-King-Velelo-
who was away in an initiation school preparing for his leadership on the Ama-Mpondomise-Throne but then same that happened with his father and great-granduncle who fought for the Throne happened to him too but than his cousin who was a caretaker for the nation fled the battle ground and escaped opening a way for King-Myeki King-Myeki-King-Matiwane-Regency-King-Mbhali-King-Mhlontlo-King-Tshalisi-Regency-King-Ntabankulu-King-Sigidi-King-Dailza-King-Welisha-King-Zwelozuko-
or otherwise known as
Prince Luzuko is yet to ascend the throne. His coronation has been delayed by the Ama-Dosini-Royal-family Branchline's unsuccessfully contest for the succession.
  • Prince Dosini's descendants in terms of the Ama-Mpondomise-Kingship claimants were: King-Ngcwina-
He-Fathered=Chief-Dosini-
He-Fathered=Chief-Nqabashe- He-Fathered=Chief-Nceleduna- He-Fathered=Chief-Mqhorana- He-Fathered=Chief-Mjoko--
He-Fathered=Chief-Shwemela-
He-Fathered=Chief-Xhonto-
He-Fathered=Chief-Zanoxolo-
He-Fathered=Chief-Xhuxhe-
He-Fathered=Chief-Marule-
He-Fathered=Chief-Mxoko-
He-Fathered=Chief-Gxaba-
He-Fathered=Chief-Nyakatya-
He-Fathered=Chief-Ncilashe-
He-Fathered=Chief-Sigiwili-
He-Fathered=Chief-Masethi-

He-Fathered=Chief-Ntamnani-
He-Fathered=Chief-Myezo
He-Fathered=Chiefness-Ntombenkonzo .
Chiefness-Ntombenkonzo is the current claimant from this line. She has lost the case in court -see court papers in references

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. 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
  • From Zumbe – Ngcwina, Mabhula, Ndalane kaNdodi, Mnxothi, Siqwephu Solusu, Nyama yangaphakathi, Nyama Emdaka ethandwa ngamafazi, Mntwana wenkosi uNgcwina, Simanga sekati Edla Amanqathe odwa.Malilelwa zintombi, zibona iintongo zithi ziipesika, OoNtongo zosulwa ngababathandayo, Amangcingwane, Mpondomise.
  • 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'unthonyama, isihlobo sikaMthimkhulu, sikaBhungane yena mntu ungaphezulu nakuThixo kuba abantu ubanike amabele, Ingqoq'enebal, Ngwanya kaMajola, uMajola inyoka enothando kuba ityelela abafazi endlwini.
  • From Gxarha – Gxarha -Cwerha, Vambane, Mahlahlana, Mlawu, Potwana, Siyoyo
  • From Jola – SingaMampondomse ngohlanga, ooJola, ooJoliNkomo, ooMphaNkomo, ooQengeba, OoNgwanya, Nomakhala, Njuza, S'thukuthezi, sithandwa mhla kukubi, Hoshode, Hakaha, mfaz' obele 'nye omabele made, oncancisa naphesheya komlambo. The South African politician, Fikile Mbalula is from this clan.
  • From Mpehle – amaMpehle, Vengwa, Dikana, Cabashe, Nohushe
  • From Mpinga – ooMpinga, Mawawa, Mbala kaNkqoshe, Mpondomise, Ntose, Nto'mntwana, Ngwangwashe, uSenzwa, Sineka, Mbetshane, Hlahla lamsik' unntu 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 Skhoji –
  • From Skhomo – ooUmntu womlambo, Tshangisa, Mhlatyana, Rhudulu, uNxub’ongafiyo ofa ngokuvuthelwa, Mngwevu, Jola, Manz’amnyama, Qengebe, Mhaga
  • From Zongozi – ooSenzela ooPhondo liyagexeza
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 kubafazi bakhe abathathu kuMawushe ewe uMatshezi naye uMamhlwane. Esikhoyo isikululwana sesabo OoQhaziyana, OoGeorge kwa noLanga iinkulu zakhe. Ziintsuthu zaseQuthini ngokomlandu kodwa ngenxa yemfuduko zokhokho bafumaneka Eastern Cape kuTsolo kwela ma-Mpondomise eMcwangele “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 kubafazi bakhe abathathu kuMawushe, uMatshezi naye umaMhlwane. Esikhoyo isikululwana sesabo oonyana neenkulu zakhe, uQhaziyana uGeorge kwa noLanga. Ziintsuthu zaseQuthini ngokomlandu kodwa ngenxa yemfuduko/ mfeguza zokhokho bafumaneka Eastern Cape kuTsolo kwela maMpondomise eMcwangele

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). 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." 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 snake is common in South Africa in the provinces where generally abaMbo mostly reside: KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.

Notable people