The Ngoni historical background The Ngoni, originally known as the Nguni, emigrated from Natal and Swaziland in southern Africa. They left their homeland before the Zulu and the Swazi Kingdoms took final form. The Nguni moved north and changed their name to Ngoni after crossing the Zambezi river. The Nguni are an offshoot of Zulu-Swazi. Ngoni They were two main groups; the northern Ngoni (also known as the Jere) led by the paramount chief Zwangendaba, and afterwards by Mbelwa, whilst the southern Ngoni (also known as the Maseko) led by Mputa and afterwards by Chidyaonga and Chikusi. From these two divisions of the Jere and Maseko Ngoni respectively, a number of offshoots, settled at different times in the nineteenth and early twentieth centurys in various parts of the country. These branches from the northern group include chief Chiwere and Msakambewa in Dowa and at one time Vuso Jere in Nkhotakota district. Within the southern group they are Kachindamoto and Kachere in Dedza district, Gomani in Ntcheu, Masula in Lilongwe, Simon Likongwe in Neno, Kanduku in Mwanza and Bvumbwe in Thyolo district. Apart from these two, there are also two other Ngoni chieftainships in Malawi. These are Zulu and Mlonyeni in Mchinji, offshoots of the Mpezeni paramountcy present Chipata district in eastern Zambia. Generally, Mpezeni was the elder son of Zwangendaba, who broke from the Ngoni in Malawi a few years after his fathers death and moved into the Bemba country. By 1886 he was already settled in the present Chipata district. The Maseko group, nicknamed the stones supporting the pot, entered into Malawi in 1842. They continued through to Tanzania before coming back and settling in central Malawi in 1878. In 1878, the Maseko were dominant in both the east and west of Ntcheu and Dedza; the bulk of their dominance being in the Portuguese territory of Mozambique. For various reasons, the Maseko became divided after Chidyaongas death. Chikuse then succeeded to the paramount chieftainship which had been vacant since his father Mputa had died in Songea country (present day Tanzania). However there were some who wished to consider Chifisi, the son of Chidyaonga as the successor of a worthy father, as he was certainly a good warrior and a loyal regent. From this point in time the Maseko were divided into two political entities, the line of Mputa and Chidyaonga. The former was held by Chikuse (1878-1891, son of Mputa), Gomani I (1891-1896, Chathamthumba, son of Chikuse), Mandala (Regent 1896-1898), Gomani II (1921-1954, Philip son of Gomani I), Gomani III (1966-2006, Willard son of Philip), Gomani IV (2008-2009, Kanjedza son of Willard). The reign of Gomani IV was short. He died on the 19th September 2009 and was buried on 26th of the same month. During his funeral, Kanjedzas son, Prince Mswati, a 13 year old boy, stood on the leopard skin, showing those assembled that he is the rightful heir to his father and should be crowned as Gomani V once reaching the proper age. Meanwhile, Rosemary Malinki is acting as a regent. The latter was held by Chifisi (1879-1891, son of Chidyaonga), Kachindamoto I (1891-1899, Pasekupe/Dzithenga), Nyatheyi (1899-1912), Kachindamoto II (1912-1931, Abraham son of Dzithenga), Kachindamoto III (1933-1954, Matapira Kummaani, son of Dzithenga), Kachindamoto IV (1956-1976, Samson, son of Abraham), Kachindamoto V (1978-1987, Enock Zonyera, son of Abraham), Kachindamoto VI (1988-2001, Justino, son of Matapira), Sunduzeni (Regent, 2001-2003). Currently there is Kachindamoto VII, Thereza, daughter of Samson who was installed in 2003. It must also be acknowledged that before the nineteenth century ended, the Maseko Ngoni were established at their headquarters at Lizulu in Ntcheu as well as a number of other places. Unlike the Jere Ngoni who were concentrated in a single district (presently Mzimba), the Maseko Ngoni were spread out over a wider region. The Ngoni political system On the top of the hierarchy, there is Inkosi ya Makosi (The King of Kings) who is the commander and chief of the army even if he himself did not go out to fight. The King of Kings worked through two leading office barer: the war Induna for planning the campaign and selecting the regiments for the various tasks and the doctor/diviner who administered the medicine to the army. Below the Inkosi ya Makosi come the Inkosi who are presently called Traditional Authorities. Below the Inkosi are the Alumuzana and Amakosana of which presently can be referred to as Group Village Heads. At the very bottom of the hierarchy are the Village headmen who are subordinate to the Alumuzana and Amakosana, Inkosi and the Inkosi ya Makosi. In addition to that the political system was based on aristocracy in which the King of Kings (Inkosi ya Makosi) occupied the head as he belonged to the royal clan. Furthermore, other important people include the Queen mother (Ndhlovukazi, who is either the widow of a former King of Kings or the mother of the existing ruler), Big wife (Inkosikati, who is the first wife of the ruling King of Kings and the mother of his heir) and the Royal sister (Dadakazi who is the sister of the Inkosi ya Makosi and was the only woman who belonged to the royal clan) who lived in the Big house.
Posted on: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 11:39:21 +0000
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