|
Mfecane
The Mfecane, also known by the Sesotho names Difaqane or Lifaqane (all meaning "crushing," "scattering," "forced dispersal," or "forced migration"), was a historical period of heightened military conflict and migration associated with state formation and expansion in Southern Africa. The exact range of dates that comprise the Mfecane varies between sources. At its broadest, the period lasted from the late eighteenth century to the mid-nineteenth century, but scholars often focus on an intensive period from the 1810s to the 1840s. Traditional estimates for the death toll range from 1 million to 2 million; however, these numbers are controversial, and some recent scholars revise the mortality figure significantly downwards and attribute the root causes to complex political, economic, and environmental developments. The Mfecane is significant in that it saw the formation of new states, institutions, and ethnic identities in southeastern Africa. The Mfecane's historiography itsel ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Shaka
Shaka kaSenzangakhona (–24 September 1828), also known as Shaka (the) Zulu () and Sigidi kaSenzangakhona, was the king of the Zulu Kingdom from 1816 to 1828. One of the most influential monarchs of the Zulu, he ordered wide-reaching reforms that reorganized the military into a formidable force. King Shaka was born in the lunar month of ''uNtulikazi'' (July) in 1787, in Mthonjaneni, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The son of the Zulu King Senzankakhona kaJama, he was spurned as an illegitimate son. Shaka spent part of his childhood in his mother's settlements, where he was initiated into an '' ibutho lempi'' (fighting unit/regiment), serving as a warrior under Inkosi Dingiswayo. King Shaka refined the ''ibutho'' military system with the Mthethwa Paramountcy's support over the next several years. He forged alliances with his smaller neighbours to counter Ndwandwe raids from the north. The initial Zulu maneuvers were primarily defensive, as King Shaka preferred to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dingiswayo
King Dingiswayo () ( – 1817) was a king of the Mthethwa Kingdom, well known in history for his mentorship over a young Zulu general, Shaka kaSenzangakhona, who rose to become the greatest of the Zulu Kings. His father was the Mthethwa King, Jobe kaKayi. It was under King Dingiswayo that the Mthethwa rose to prominence, mostly employing diplomacy and assimilation of nearby chiefdoms to strengthen his power base. According to Mthethwa (1995), the Mthethwas are descended from the Nguni peoples of northern Natal and the Lubombo Mountains, whose modern identity dates back some 700 years. Lineage Dingiswayo's lineage can be traced back to Mthethwa the first. It is possible that Dingiswayo and Zwide kaLanga shared the same lineage through Xaba KaMadungu. Zwide was the king of the Ndwandwe, Khumalo, Msene, and Jele peoples. (There does not appear to be a direct family link between Zwide kaLanga and Soshangane kaZikode of the Nxumalo people). Dingiswayo's Mthethwa famil ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tembe People (Tsonga)
The Tsonga people () are a Bantu ethnic group primarily native to Southern Mozambique and South Africa (Limpopo and Mpumalanga). They speak Xitsonga, a Southern Bantu language. A very small number of Tsonga people are also found in Zimbabwe and Northern Eswatini. The Tsonga people of South Africa share some history with the Tsonga people of Southern Mozambique, and have similar cultural practices, but differ in the dialects spoken. History The Vatsonga people are native to Southern Africa (Parts of South Africa and Mozambique).Junod, H.A (1912), ''The Life of a South African Tribe: The Social Life'', Imprimerie Attinger Freres, Neuchatel. One of the earliest reputable written accounts of the Tsonga people is by Henri Philipe (HP) Junod titled "''Matimu ya Vatsonga 1498–1650''" which was formally published in 1977, and it speaks of the earliest Tsonga kingdoms. Before this, the older Henri-Alexandre Junod released his work "''The life of a South African Tribe''" which was f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mpondo People
The Mpondo People, or simply Ama-Mpondo, is a kingdom in what is now the Eastern Cape.Mpondo people Encyclopædia Britannica (2007) It was established in 1226. The Ama-Mpondo Nation was first ruled by its founder who was King Mpondo kaNjanya who lived around (born in 1205 and died in 1280) and later the 'Ama-Nyawuza' clan (a royal clan of the Ama-Mpondo), by nationality referred to themselves as 'Ama-Mpondo'. They are related to other Aba-Mbo kingdoms and chiefdoms in South Africa. Origins The story of the origins of ema-Mpondweni was told to personify and symbolise the fact that it was a nation with lands shaped like a horn, when it includes the lands ema-Mpondomiseni, and to make it ...[...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mthethwa Clan
The Mthethwa Paramountcy, sometimes referred to as the ''Mtetwa'' or Mthethwa Empire, was a Southern African state that arose in the 18th century south of Delagoa Bay and inland in eastern southern Africa. "Mthethwa" means "the one who rules". Background According to Muzi Mthethwa (1995), the Mthethwas are descended from the Nguni tribes of northern Natal and the Lubombo Mountains, whose modern identity dates back some 700 years. They are among the first Nguni-Tsonga groups who left the Great Lakes in Central Africa between 200 AD and 1200 AD. On arrival in Southern Africa, they settled around modern-day Swaziland, mainly on the Lubombo Mountains, before leaving in the 17th century to settle in modern-day KwaZulu-Natal, in the Nkandla region. It consisted of roughly 30 Nguni chiefdoms, lineages, and clans. Unlike its successor, the Zulu Kingdom, the Mthethwa Paramountcy was a confederation. After Zulu chief Shaka kaSenzagakhona (better known as Shaka Zulu) became king, h ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ndwandwe
The Ndwandwe are a Bantu Nguni-speaking people who populate sections of southern Africa. They owe their name to one of their early chiefs and are also known as the Nxumalo. Today, they can be found in South Africa, Eswatini, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, and Zambia. History Ndwandwe chieftaincies were part of the Northern Nguni migration and settled in the area between the Pongola River and the Black Umfolozi River during the eighteenth century. Over time, the Ndwandwe subjugated and incorporated the surrounding groups. By the later part of the eighteenth century, under the leadership of their king, Yaka, they had established themselves in a dominant position. North of the Ndwandwe lived the Ngwane people, while to the south were the Mthethwa, Zulu, and other groups. The Ndwandwe, with the Mthethwa, were a significant power in present-day Zululand at the turn of the nineteenth century, while the Ngwane (who would later become known as the Swazi) were the do ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pongola River
The Phongolo River is a river in South Africa. It is a tributary of the Maputo River. It rises near Utrecht in northern KwaZulu-Natal, flows east through oPhongolo, is dammed at Pongolapoort, and crosses the Ubombo Mountains; then it flows north towards Mozambique, joining the Maputo River. Its main tributaries are the Bivane River and the Mozana River in South Africa, as well as the Ngwavuma in Eswatini. The name of the uPhongolo River is derived from the isiZulu word for a barrel, vat, trough, or cask, referring to the deep and sometimes long pools that are found in this river. See also * 1305 Pongola * Pongolapoort Dam * List of rivers of South Africa This is a list of rivers in South Africa. It is quite common to find the Afrikaans word ''-rivier'' as part of the name. Another common suffix is "''-kamma''", from the Khoisan term for "river" Meiring, Barbara"South African Toponymic Guidelin ... References Maputo River Rivers of KwaZulu-Natal {{ ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Umzimkulu River
The Mzimkulu River is a river in South Africa. In the past, the Mzimkulu formed part of the border between Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. Presently this river is part of the Mvoti to Umzimkulu Water Management Area. In late February of every year, the river is host to one of South Africa's most popular canoe races, the Drak Challenge. Course It rises in the Drakensberg mountains just north of Rhino Peak, with the source being on the Lesotho border. It flows southeast towards the Indian Ocean, which it enters through an estuary at Port Shepstone. Its main tributary is the Bisi River which joins its right bank about halfway down its course. Towns on the Umzimkhulu, Umzimkulu include Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal, Underberg and Umzimkhulu. Ecology The scaly yellowfish ''(Labeobarbus natalensis)'' is a fish found in the Umzimkulu River System as well as in the Umgeni River, Umgeni, Umkomazi River, Umkomazi, Tugela River, Thukela and the Umfolozi River, Umfolozi. It is a commo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Umkomazi River
The uMkhomazi River is a river in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Course It rises in some of the highest eastwards-facing slopes of the Drakensberg mountains, near the mighty Thabana Ntlenyana. The river flows southeastwards towards the Indian Ocean, which it enters through a navigable estuary at Umkomaas (eMkhomazi), about 50 km southwest of Durban. Its main tributaries are the Loteni, Nzinga, Mkomazane, Elands and the Xobho River. Towns on the uMkhomazi drainage basin include Bulwer, Impendle, Ixopo, Craigieburn and Boston. Presently the only dam in its catchment area is the Ixopo Dam, but other dams are planned. The uMkhomazi is part of the Mvoti to Umzimkulu Water Management Area. Ecology The Mkhomazi State Forest and the Mkhomazi Wilderness Area are protected areas in the upper course of the Umkomazi River. The scaly yellowfish ''(Labeobarbus natalensis)'' is a fish found in the uMkhomazi River System as well as in the Umgeni, Umzimkulu, Tukhela and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Umgeni River
The Umgeni River or Mgeni River () is a river in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It rises in the "Dargle" in the KZN Midlands, and its mouth is at Durban, some distance north of Durban's natural harbour. It is generally agreed its name means "the river of entrance" in Zulu, though other meanings have been suggested. The river is approximately long with a catchment area of . The Howick Falls are some famous waterfalls on the Mngeni. Tributaries A noteworthy tributary is the Msunduzi River, which joins it between Nagle and Inanda dams. Higher up its course, the Msunduzi (or 'Dusi' for short) passes through the KwaZulu-Natal capital Pietermaritzburg. A famous downriver race, the Dusi Canoe Marathon takes place between the capital and Durban, attracting thousands of canoeists for the three-day event held every year January. A small tributary that has an impact exceeding its size and length is the Lions River which joins the Umgeni about 4 kilometers upstream of Midmar Dam (near ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
