From Zululand to Southern Africa: An Introduction to the Ngoni People of Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania
In light of recent conversations in the SADC region concerning the new Botswana president, President Duma Boko, being of Xhosa origin, we thought it would be worth delving into other stories of migration and movement of people in Africa. One such story is the migration of the Ngoni, Abangoni, or AbeNgoni, who have now settled in Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania.
Lulama Njapa reports
When most people think of the Nguni, they think of amaXhosa, AmaZulu, AmaNdebele,
and AmaSwati. However, the Nguni diaspora is broader, also including the Ngonis
found in present-day Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, and Tanzania.
The Ngoni’s story is a remarkable tale of migration and cultural perseverance that
extends far beyond South Africa's borders. They have carried their heritage with them
for over 200 years, migrating more than 2,000 kilometres over 30 years, although some
historians and missionary accounts say the migration lasted about 20 years.
The Migration
In the early 19th century, the Ngoni people embarked on an extraordinary journey
during the Mfecane wars, a period of intense conflict and upheaval that eventually led to
King Shaka consolidating the Zulu Nation. They were led by Chief Zwangendaba Jele,
son of Hlatshwayo and brother to Somakhanda kaZiguda Jele.
The Ngoni fled from Zululand, near present-day Eswatini, travelling northward through
Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The migration began after Zwangendaba broke away from
the Ndwandwe Kingdom, where he was Zwide’s induna, like his father before him.
Despite previous successes in battles against Shaka, Zwide’s army was defeated at the
Battle of Umhlathuze River in 1819.
Following this defeat, Zwangendaba gathered his clan with other refugees and fled the
area. On November 19, 1835, Zwangendaba and his clan crossed the Zambezi River
into Zambia. Ngoni folklore mentions a day when the sky went dark, considered a bad
omen. This was due to total solar eclipse. The Ngonis believe that the gods were angry.
Consequently, many Ngonis drowned while crossing the Zambezi. One can imagine
that this cemented the mysticism that already existed among the Ngonis.
Zwangendaba travelled as far as Tanzania, where he eventually died around 1848,
though some historians say he died in 1845. He is buried in Maphupho, Ufipa in
Tanzania.
After Zwangendaba's death, a succession battle ensued among his sons. Mphezeni
kaJele migrated back to Zambia, where his descendants are now in Chipata, led by
iNkosi YamaKhosi Mphezeni KaZwangendaba Jele IV since 1982. He is also the king of
the Ngonis in Mchinji, Malawi.
The second son, Mmbelwa, left Tanzania and migrated back to Malawi. The current
king of the Ngonis in Northern Malawi is Inkosi YamaKhosi uMmbelwa ka Zwangendaba
V, residing in Northern Malawi at Edingeni Palace and leading the Ngonis in the Mzimba
district.
Another group of Ngonis, known as the Maseko Ngonis, is found in Malawi near the
border with Mozambique. Historians suggest these Ngonis may have migrated from
Eswatini, rather than Zululand like the Zwangendaba Ngonis. The Maseko Ngonis are
under the leadership of Inkosi YamaKhosi Gomani V, who is incidentally married to
Undlunkulu Khanyisa Rishaladza Gomani who is South African born.
The last group of Ngonis is found in Songea, Tanzania. They are under the leadership
of Inkosi YamaKhosi uZulu Gama, a direct descendant of Zulu Gama I, who migrated
with Zwangendaba from Zululand to Tanzania as his right-hand man and army general.
Zwangendaba is said to have bestowed the title of Nkosi YamaKhosi on Zulu Gama to
reward him for his loyalty. Today, you will find a group of Ngonis in Songea, Tanzania,
near the Malawi-Tanzania border.
Language and Heritage
What language do the Ngonis speak today? The Ngonis no longer speak Ngoni, except
for small remnants in a village called Mphelembe in Northern Malawi. In Northern
Malawi, they speak Chitumbuka, while in Mchinji, they speak Nsenga and Nyanja. The
language struggled to survive because of assimilation and intermarrying. Today, you will
occasionally hear Zulu words, especially during cultural ceremonies like Incwala and
Umthetho. Children are still named in isiZulu, with names such as Thandiwe, Nandi,
Zondwayo, Zondiwe, Dumisani, and Thokozani.
Surnames have been preserved for more than 200 years. The surname Jele has
become Jere due to regional languages, and other common surnames include
Mngomezulu, Zulu, Dube, and Ngoma. Many of the surnames have also been distorted
to be pronounced in the local languages.
Despite modern challenges such as cultural assimilation and identity loss they remain
dedicated to preserving their heritage. They celebrate their history through festivals,
storytelling, and cultural exchanges, ensuring their traditions are passed down to future
generations.
They also grapple with the duality of being natives of the land while also feeling like
foreigners. Having been in these places for more than 200 years, they still yearn to
understand their roots better. The Ngonis are a proud people, reminiscent of the Zulu
pride seen in South Africa. The amabutho carry their shields with pride and wear
amabheshu with the vanity of a warrior.
The Ngoni’s journey from the Zulu kingdom to their current homes is a testament to their
resilience and cultural wealth. Their contributions have enriched the cultural landscape
of Southern Africa, making their story one of significance and inspiration. As I continue
to learn about the Ngoni, I gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity and complexity of
African heritage and movement of people.
*Ngoni history is largely oral, apart from missionary documents which distorted names
of places and people while documenting the Ngonis. The main source for this article is
The Society of Malawi Journal 1972 and other historian accounts.
Travel Africa, Ngoni History, African History, Ngoni, Mmbelwa, Mphezeni, Gomani, Zulu, Gama
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