Getting to know yourself as a South African, Unravelling Xhosa History: Getting to know yourself as a South African, #0

By Salatiso Mdeni

Have you ever felt a disconnect from your heritage? As a Xhosa man raised in the Eastern Cape, I did. Steeped in tradition and surrounded by elders, I believed I understood my roots. But as I ventured out into the world, I realized there was so much more to learn.

 

This book is my exploration of the rich tapestry of Xhosa history. It's a journey that shatters misconceptions and unveils the fascinating truth about the Xhosa people.

 

Embark on a captivating exploration that will:

• Uncover the diverse tribes that make up the Xhosa nation
• Trace Xhosa roots back to their ancient origins
• Delve into the wisdom of storytelling and ancestral rituals
• Bridge the gap between past and present

 

This book is for anyone who:

• Wants to connect with their Xhosa heritage
• Seeks a deeper understanding of South African history
• Enjoys a captivating story of cultural discovery

 

Whether you're a Xhosa descendant or simply fascinated by African culture, this book will illuminate your path to self-discovery.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Salatiso Mdeni
• Release date: May 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224148431

Salatiso Mdeni

First and foremost, I am a father to my son, with all else being a means to this end. As the only son of my parents and the eldest among my three sisters, I proudly assume the role of a father figure to my nephews and niece, as well as being a reliable provider for my entire family. Growing up in rural Transkei, Eastern Cape, my life changed when my father passed away when I was 11. This loss compelled me to mature quickly, and with my mother's strength, I supported the family by age 20 after completing my National Diploma. Understanding the importance of my family's success, I brought them from the Eastern Cape to Gauteng, transitioning from rural life to owning properties in Johannesburg. These choices provided better prospects for my mother, siblings, nephews, and son, Mila. My educational journey began in rural Transkei, leading me through rustic schools before relocating to Mpumalanga, where I completed my Matric. Over the past two decades, I have expanded my knowledge in Risk Management across various industries. My formal studies provided a strong foundation, but my commitment to continuous learning has truly broadened my knowledge. I am dedicated to pursuing practical solutions rooted in my experience and research, challenging conventional wisdom and evaluating outcomes based on real-life experiences. As an auditor and risk management professional, I have thrived in the corporate world, safeguarding my family from prevalent pitfalls. My unwavering commitment to enhancing my skills stems from my dedication to being a father to my son and a provider for my family. After publishing my first book in 2023, I now explore and write about subjects that intrigue me.

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Copyright

© 2024 Salatiso Lonwabo Mdeni.

All rights reserved.

This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in

any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the

publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

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Dedication

To my family,

in its entirety,

current and past.

iSalatiso/ Sazisi

––––––––

Copyright

Dedication

Preface.

Chapter 1: The Bantu Migration and Early Origins of the Xhosa People.

1. The Bantu Expansion from Central Africa.

1.1 Arrival and Interaction with the Khoisan People.

1.2 Early Settlements and Tribes in the Eastern Cape.

Chapter 2: Xhosa-Khoisan Relations and Interactions.

2. Cultural Exchange and Adaptation.

2.1. Conflicts and wars with the Khoisan.

2.2 Influence on Xhosa social structure and beliefs.

Chapter 3: Xhosa-Zulu Relations and the Split into Different Xhosa tribes.

3. Historical ties between the Xhosa and Zulu.

3.1. Factors leading to the split.

3.2. Historical Conflicts and Wars between the Xhosa and the Zulu.

Chapter 4: The Xhosa nation, from the common ancestors to the unification under the Xhosa banner.

4. The foundations of the Xhosa nation, from Mnguni I.

4.1 The formation of the different tribes

4.1.1 The Gcaleka Tribe

4.1.2 Creation of the Bhaca Tribe

4.1.3. Emergence of theNgqika Tribe.

4.1.4. Founding of the Thembu Tribe.

4.1.5. Establishment Tribe of the Mpondomise.

4.1.6. Origins of the Mfengu Tribe.

4.1.7. Development of the Mpondo Tribes.

4.1.8. Formation of the Bomvana Tribe.

4.2. Hintsa ka Khawuta: The Great King of the Xhosa Nation

Chapter 5: Socio-Political Organization and Leadership within the Xhosa tribes.

5. Traditional Governance Structures

5.1. Roles and responsibilities of clan leaders.

5.2. Clan Hierarchy and Power Dynamics.

5.3. Evolution of leadership in modern Xhosa society.

5.4. Impact of The South African Constitution on Xhosa customs and laws.

Chapter 6: Cultural Traditions and Practices.

6. Language, beliefs and heritage.

6.1. Xhosa language and communication.

6.2. Traditional beliefs and spirituality.

6.3. Rites of passage and initiation ceremonies.

6.4. Xhosa Arts and Crafts.

6.5. Xhosa Cuisine and Traditional Food.

Chapter 7: Contact, conflict and cooperation with Colonial forces.

7.1. Early contact with European explorers.

7.2. Historical Xhosa wars and resistance movements.

7.3. Historical instances of cooperation between the Xhosa, British and the Boers.

7.4. Impact of Colonialism on Xhosa society.

Chapter 8: Xhosa Identity and Culture in Modern South Africa.

8. Challenges and opportunities in a changing society.

8.1. Xhosa cultural revival and preservation efforts.

8.2. Influence of contemporary communication, record keeping, and government systems on the revival and preservation efforts.

8.3. Xhosa influence in Politics, Arts and Literature.

8.4. Xhosa contributions to South African History and Culture.

Chapter 9: Heritage Sites and Tourism.

9. Exploring Xhosa Historical Sites.

9.1. Cultural tourism and community development.

9.2. Celebrating Xhosa cultural festivals and events.

9.3. Conclusion: Ungalahli imbo yakho ngophoyiyana.

Notes

"The country lying between the present colonies of the Cape and Natal was first explored by Europeans in the year 1655, and was then found to be occupied by four great tribes,

-the Amampondomsi,

the Amampondo,

the Abatembu,

and the Amaxosa,

who formed nations as distinct from each other as are the French and the Italians.

Their language was the same, and their laws and customs varied very slightly; but in all that respected government they were absolutely independent of one another.

It has since been ascertained that the tribes further northward do not differ materially from these."

- George McCall Theal’s Kaffir (Xhosa) Folk Tales.

Preface.

Growing up in the former Transkei, as a Xhosa native, I believed I had a deep understanding of my heritage. I grew up surrounded, mostly by individuals who lived by the old ways, AmaQaba. I immersed myself in the customs and traditions of yore.

The rich traditions were enthusiastically passed down through storytelling sessions beneath the moonlit sky or by the flickering fire in a cosy, albeit occasionally smoky, rondavel, creating an unforgettable atmosphere. This was a time when mobile phones were rare, radios were luxuries, and televisions were almost nonexistent. I never tire of recounting the first time I saw a television set, or at least I thought I did only to be massively disappointed since the metal thing didn’t show any images, I was around 6 years old, mistaking the antenna on the roof for the television itself because I knew no better!

While I did not actively seek knowledge about my lineage, the profound Xhosa roots that permeated every aspect of my environment captivated my attention. However, as I entered my teenage years and moved away from the Eastern Cape, my visits back home became infrequent. I began to miss out on the subtle intricacies of our ancestral rituals and norms.

My hopes of delving deeper into written records were shattered by the scarcity and inaccessibility of books that detailed the historical evolution of the Xhosa people, whose roots can be traced back to Central and East Africa.

The biggest shock came when I read George McCall Theal’s Kaffir (Xhosa) Folk Tales. It was the first time I got an understanding of the diverse tribes present in the Xhosa community. Until then I thought all the tribes under the Xhosa nation were subgroups, with Xhosa always having existed as a nation, nothing could be further from the truth!

AmaXhosa existed as one of many tribes who were Xhosa speaking around the now Eastern Cape region of South Africa. Each tribe has its own individual identity that predates King Hintsa ka Khawuta's assimilation of the Eastern Cape tribes into the Xhosa nation from 1820 to 1835. I had never realized that Xhosa had not always been a collective name for these tribes and that they were once separate entities. As a homeschooling father, my ignorance deeply affected me.

Then there is the common ancestry between native Africans that predates the Xhosa, Zulu, Ndebele, Swazi nations in our common ancestor Mnguni. Within us all as South African Bantu tribes we have common ancestors that predates even our Nguni  ancestors from our immigration through central African from common roots.

I am acutely aware of the irony behind the fact that the idea for this book originated from the son of a Canadian doctor who briefly lived in the United States and Sierra Leone before settling in South Africa in the 1800s. It is equally important to recognize that as I delved into my family's history, I relied heavily on technologies that are a result of the initial encounters, conflicts, but most importantly, the collaboration and lasting coexistence between my ancestors and the Western explorers of that time. Above all, these details aim to symbolize the interconnectedness among us as human beings, regardless of surface disparities, historical origins, and locations.

We can choose to amplify our differences