User:SisaDuda
History of The ‡Khomani / AmaQoma Royal Kingdom
(Written in the language of IsiXhosa by: Hrh Paramount Chief Phumele Mxoli Ah! Ngwenyathi and translated to English by: Hrh Chief Sisa Duda Ah! Dilizintaba)
Ingqanga neentsiba zayo (praises to the Paramount Chief and the nation at large) Paramount Chief Ngwenyathi from The ‡Khomani/AmaQoma Kingdom with the Kingship Headquarters in Witdraai, Kalahari Transfrontier National Park, in the town of Askham, Northern Cape, South Africa.
Table of contents
Introduction 3
Acknowledgment of sources and references 4
Details, findings and outcomes of the research 5
Events, life stories of Kings, Chiefs and other influential figures. 10
Praise names of the ‡Khomani/AmaQoma clan 12
Timeline of Diplomatic Alliance and Working Relationship between The Thembu Nation and The ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma Nation 13
Introduction
The reason for the writing and research on a book about the history and folklore of the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma was due to a yearning for knowing about oneself and the nation from which I’m a descendant. I undertook a research by visiting libraries, archives and institutions of higher learning trying to locate a book on the history and folklore of the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma without success. I was enlightened and informed by Professor V. Dlova from the Mzangwa clan Sohobe, Mlamb’awuwelwa(his clan praise names) who his knowledge on the history and folklore of the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma assisted me immensely in my research. I went back to the libraries and archives as advised by Prof. Dlova on which sources I should refer to in my research on the history of the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma. During this time I was already using my royal praise name Ngwenyathi which I was given by the Mazangwa clan.
To conclude and validate my research I embarked on a journey to the Kalahari desert, Witdraai in the town of Askham, where the ‡Khomani San a found a currently reside today. The ‡Khomani San migrated from her South East of South Africa where the majority of AmaQoma are found to this day. I decided to consolidate all the research on the history and folklore of the AmaQoma that I collected during my research. After my return from Kalahari I handed over and updated the AmaQoma nation on the outcomes of my journey and research as a humble servant of my people. After I presented my research outcomes and findings the AmaQoma nation pleaded and instructed me to write a book about the history and folklore of the AmaQoma nation. That’s when I took a decision based on the plea and instruction of the AmaQoma, to take a pen and paper and write about the history and folklore of the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma nation. So as to enlighten the nation and future generations on the history and folklore of the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma nation.
Acknowledgment of sources and references
A special word of thanks and appreciation to my friends, the royal family, traditional councils, academics with assistance, knowledge, insight and contribution in the research of my nations history and folklore. I would also like to show my sincere gratitude to the authors of the various books that I have used as references your contribution has been invaluable.
1. Prof. V. Dlova
2. Prof. M. Saphepha
3. V. Phambo
4. Hrh Chief Mntoyinqaba Mrauli Ah! Gabhal'duduma
5. H. Ntetha
6. Who are AbaThembu and Where did They Come From E.G Sihele
7. The South Eastern Bantu by J.H Soga
8. The House of Phalo by J.B Pieres
9. The dead shall arise by J.B Pieres
10. The Anatomy of the South African San Genocide (The Extermination) by M. Adikhari
11. AmaCube and their origins from Taleedz Printrest
12. Chisholm, Hugh, ed(1911) Tembu”
13. Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol.26(11th ed) Cambridge University Press.p.577
14. “Kaffraria” Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol.15(11th ed) Cambridge University Press.p.629
15. Imbali ya maZizi aseNgqutura kwaPokwana kaMenziwa kaZangashe 2.d. by Zuko Pokwana
Details, findings and outcomes of the research
History of the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma
Findings of the research:
In-depth and thorough research has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma is one of the first and oldest nation to occupy what is known as the land of the Khoi-San (South Africa). Ancient paintings that stood the test of time on rocks, hills, caves and graves in the vicinity of these ancient landmarks are testimony to the early existence of the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma nation. The ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma are a nation that used live off the land by foraging wild roots, fruits, vegetables and hunting wild animals. The ‡Khomani San are a sub-group of the /Xam ki !e which are widely known to the other nations as the /Xam. At the ‡Khomani San royal house we found evidence that the ‡Khomani San are a large kingdom that consists of many sub-groups just like any other kingdom in South Africa and the continent at large.
Chisholm, Hugh, ed(1911)Tembu”
Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol.26(11thed) Cambridge University Press.p.577
The ‡Khomani San are the people of the lion ( their totem is a lion), Qoma means a tree where a lion would rest and the name Xam means lion in the ‡Khomani San language known as N|uu. According to research it is clear that the AmamQoma are an indigenous nation that has always inhabited the land of the San(South Africa), before the migration of the other nations southward from the north of the continent.(H. Ntetha)
When I asked one of the researchers Vukile Phambo as a reliable source about his knowledge on the history of the AmaQoma nation, and that apparently they are descendants of Ntongakazi( Thembu King), which is a misconception. He answered without a shadow of doubt that the AmaQoma nation are a San nation that descend from the ‡Khomani San, that came into contact with the BaMbo and Nyambe Bantu groups that had already intermarried with other Khoi-San communities during their migration.
According to researcher Hamid Ntetha another sub-group of the house of AmaQoma known as the ‡Hanaseku(Maseko) San can be found in Swaziland. Those who are in present day KwaZulu Natal are kaMaseko. Researcher’s narration and articulation of the history and origin of the AmaQoma nation is almost similar, which is evident that AmaQoma can be found in the present day north of South Africa and neighbouring countries. The AmaQoma can be found predominantly in present day Thembuland and other parts of the country. I agree with the findings of these researchers because I have visited these places in my pursuit for the true origin of the AmaQoma nation, and they have proved to be true. Professor Saphepha sings the same tune and concurs with some of the researchers that I have spoken to that AmaQoma went to reside under the Thembu Kingdom as an independent San sub-group and that is where some of their history and folklore were lost due to assimilation.
After battles and misunderstanding between the BaMbo and Khoi-San which led to a war and the defeat of the ‡Khomani San by the BaMbo who had regiments for battle and war, the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma were divided, disintegrated and dispersed. Other groups migrated to the north of the country and neighbouring countries (Namibia and Botswana), those who were left behind went to reside under the Thembu nation. Due to ill treatment of the San population, some of the San paid homage and worked in slave like conditions for the ruling at that time, as a result some left their cave dwelling and the bush and went to live amongst the Bantam where they intermarried. Intermarriage brought a lot of change to the San way of life, traditions and customs, their genetic makeup and most of their languages became extinct. During this time the languages known as IsiXhosa today was constructed and widely spoken in south eastern part of the country.
The first king of the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma came to power at the end of the 1400s, he ruled with wisdom and wanted to change the conditions of his people. During King Chananatu’s reign there was peace and prosperity amongst his subjects, he had diplomatic ties and was an ally of King Bhomoyi of the Thembu nation who was the son of Ntongakazi/Dumakude. Chananatu led the nation of the ‡Khomani San from which he was a descendant. His nation was known and pronounced as Qoma(ni) or Qoma by the BaNtu. It is during this time that the ‡Khomani San became to be known as AmaQoma, this was the time before the arrival of the Europeans and Westerners with their missionary education. King Chananatu became known as Mqoma amongst his allies and peers. The names that easy to pronounce were Chananatu or Mqoma, King Chananatu begot Njani in his great house and Vanda in his right hand house. Chief Njani was an ally of King Ntimande of AmaZima who was ruling most of Thembuland and defeated many clans during his time of reign, with the help of Chief Njani of AmaCube and Chief Nondzaba of AmaWushe.
Chief Njani was the great son of King Chananatu who was ruling the nation of AmaQoma and AmaNdlane. It was Chief Njani who became known as Cube after he married his first wife from the !Kora/Korana nation, the wife called him Cube and nobody knew what was the meaning of the name and nobody “cared” for that matter. After his father passed Chief Njani was coronated as King of AmaQoma and AmaNdlane until he was assassinated by his half-brother Vanda who then cut ties with AmaNdlane and ruled AmaQoma as an independent nation. AmaNdlane were then ruled by Chief Lamana! Who was known as Chophemdekweni. King Njani begot Sigqo in his great house and was left with few followers after his father’s assassination. Chief Sigqo went to res in the land of the Thembu nation, he had brothers from his father’s right-hand house Nyohela and Cishe and and his mother from the !Kora/Korana nation who was widowed after the passing of his husband King Njani whom she fondly called Cube. Chief Ntoyi of the Thembu nation had a tendency of misrepresenting his allies and chiefs that he had diplomatic ties with as his own sons. Unfortunately this tendency by Chief Ntoyi led to the Thembu to believe that Chief Sigqo was Chief Ntoyi’s son and the widowed mother of Chief Sigqo from the !Kora/Korana his wife which is another misconception. Chief Sigqo’s subjects became known as (AbakwaCube), or AmaCube up until today a lot of Thembu believe that AmaCube are descendants of Ntoyi. (AmaCube and their origins)
The misconception of Chief Ntoyi being Chief Sigqo’s father and husband to his mother the !Kora/Korana widow, spread to the land of AmaMpondomise and was conflated with the story of Chief Mgcwina. Chief Mgcwina was a seer who had the ability of precognition, he had a precognitive dream that he went hunting for wild game and caught a hairless antelope. This dream bother him to the extent that he sent a hunting party of his councillors on a hunting expedition because he wanted to interpret this dream. In a nutshell the hunting party of councillors caught a Khoi-San woman at Ngele Mountain in Mount Ayliff and brought her to the royal kraal.
She was confined in a separate hut and brought food until her breast that was bitten by hunting dogs completely healed. She ended up being accustomed to life at the royal kraal, doing chores and even cooking for the chief. Chief Mgcwina used to visit her hut during the night, until she fell pregnant and gave birth to the heir of the AmaMpondomise nation Cirha and not Mqoma. (Imbali yamaMpondomise) Mdukiswa Tyabashe.
The above mentioned event never took place in the land of the Thembu nation, it occurred in the Mpondomise royal kraal which was known as Mvenyane during those times. So lie spread that the AmaQoma nation were conceived by a Khoi-San woman who had issue with a Thembu chief which never occurred. The AmaQoma ancestors that lived after Chief Sigqo believed this blatant lie and passed it on to their descendants as a true and credible event which is far from the truth. They never did their research on this matter hence the present generation still believes this fallacy because they were told by their elders. Our grandparents and great-grandparents never took time to research and investigate the credibility of the event of conception of Mqoma by the Khoi-San woman and a Thembu chief. Even some of us in this present generation never bothered to ask our parents about our history and folklore. During the olden days it was taboo for a child ask, debate or argue with our elders you listened and did as you were told “ a child can only be seen but not heard.” If you ask why AmaQoma ended up being called commoners you will never get a valid answer. Even today AmaQoma are still allies with the Thembu nation and are well respected by the Thembu royal house. The AmaQoma nation are only related to the Thembu nation through intermarriage (diplomatic marriages), and not by lineage or genealogy.
AmaCube and their Origins from Taleedz Printrest Kaffraria”. Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol.15(11thed) Cambridge University Press. p.629
Events, life stories of Kings, Chiefs and other influential figures
- King Mqoma (Chananatu)
- Njani (Cube)
- Vanda
- Sigqo
- Nyohela
- Cishe
- Praise names of the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma
1. King Mqoma (Chananatu)
Chananatu is the first king of the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma nation, he ruled with peace and wisdom during his reign towards the end of the 1400s. He was adored and admired by his subjects and never left a dent during his reign. He was an ally and had diplomatic ties with King Bhomoyi of the Thembu who was the son of Ntongakazi/Dumakude.
2. King Njani (Cube)
King Njani is the second king of the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma he was coronated as king after his father’s passing during the 1500s. Just like his predecessor he ruled with wisdom and an alliance and diplomatic ties with the Thembu nation when the Thembu nation was ruled by AmaZima and they defeated many clans during his reign.
3. Vanda
King Vanda is the third king of the ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma after assassinating his half-brother King Njani(Cube), he cut ties with AmaNdlane and ruled AmaQoma as an independent nation. He ruled over a majority of the AmaQoma nation after his passing his kingdom was disintegrated and dispersed.
4. Sigqo
He was the great of King Njani(Cube) and a !Kora/Korana woman, he left with a few followers after his father’s assassination by his half-brother Vanda. Chief Sigqo left with his followers and went to reside under the Thembu nation of Ntoyi. No one took reign after the passing of Chief Sigqo and the nation was left without a leader or successor.
5. Nyohela
6. Cishe
They were both sons of King Njani from the right-hand house and they never ruled over the AmaQoma nation. When Chief Sigqo left and went to reside under the Thembu nation he was accompanied by his mother who was widowed and his two brothers Nyohela and Cishe.
Praise names of the ‡Khomani/AmaQoma clan
7. NABANDIKWENZE
8. GQOMGQAYO
9. GQELEMGQUBENI
10. NTENGWABUTHI NGETHOKAZI
11. MTHWA
12. BOMADUBUL’INYAMAKAZI NGOTOLO BAYILANDELE NGETHEMBA LOBA IZAWUWELA PHAMBILI
Timeline of Diplomatic Alliance and Working Relationship between The Thembu Nation and The ‡Khomani San/AmaQoma Nation
In the late 1400s
Chananatu - Bhomoyi
‡Khomani San/AmaQoma AbaThembu
AmaNdlane
The era of Chananatu was ended after his death and his great house son Njani took over as new leader of AmaQoma and he worked together with AbaThembu under Zima’s leadership.
Njani/Cube - AmaZima/Ntimande
AmaQoma/AbakwaCube AbaThembu
AmaNdlane
AmaZima Chieftaincy was overthrown, Zima and his whole cabinet were killed.
Njani/Cube - Ceduma
AmaQoma/AbakwaCube AbaThembu
AmaNdlane
Njani/Cube - Mnguti
AmaQoma/AbakwaCube - AbaThembu
AmaNdlane
The end of Njani/Cube’s era:
In the late 1500s:
Njani/Cube’s Chieftaincy was overthrown by Vanda after killing his brother Njani/Cube and took over to lead AmaQoma. Some of AmaQoma chose to be lead by Njani‘s son (Sigqo) although the majority of AmaQoma were under Vanda’s Leadership.
AmaNdlane were removed from the leadership of AmaQoma nation by Vanda and were taken over by Lamana who is suspected to be one of Chananatu’s sons. Lamana’s Chieftaincy name was known as “Chophemdekweni” and he lead AmaNdlane to be their chief.
AmaQoma were divided into two groups:
Vanda and Sigqo - Ntoyi
AmaQoma AbaThembu
Vanda - Ntoyi + Sigqo
AmaQoma - AbaThembu + AmaQoma
17th Century:
Nxeko
AbaThembu + AmaQoma
Dlomo
AbaThembu + AmaQoma
The new era of AbaThembu leadership:
AbaThembu became a registered Kingdom under King Hala.
Hala
AbaThembu + AmaQoma
1756 Thato
AbaThembu + AmaQoma
Zondwa died before he took over to be a leader of AbaThembu nation and Ndaba his son took over to be a leader of AbaThembu after his grandfather Thato.
Ndaba
AbaThembu + AmaQoma
1800 - 1830 Ngubengcuka
AbaThembu + AmaQoma
1840 – 1855 Mthikrakra
AbaThembu + AmaQoma
1860 – 1884 Ngangelizwe
AbaThembu + AmaQoma
During the era of King Ngangelizwe an interesting event took place in Mqonci. The whole of Mqonci, from the boundary with Tora, including what is now Ingasa and extending all the way to Zulu, another boundary with Gcalekaland, was under the rule of Mazimela, yet another Ibhodi of Chief Pokwana. The Ntlonti Royal Place is situated right on Mazimela’s stand. When AmaQoma of Bhinase Ntlonti, arrived Mazimela ran away to his mother’s place (Ngqamakhwe). It is said he did not run to his Chief Pokwana and some dubbed him igwala. When AmaQoma’s invasion was scrutinised, Pokwana agreed that they settle there.
1884 – 1920 Dalindyebo
AbaThembu + AmaQoma
1920 – 1928 Sampu
AbaThembu + AmaQoma
1954 - 1986 Sabata
AbaThembu + AmaQoma
1986 – present Buyelekhaya
AbaThembu + AmaQoma