SOUTH AFRICAN TRIBES

Xhosa Tribe

The Xhosa Tribe is the largest ethnic group in South Africa, primarily found in the Eastern and Western Cape provinces. They are native speakers of the isiXhosa Language. With clan names, each Xhosa person can trace their family history back to a specific male ancestor. To name a few on the clan names: Rhadebe, Gaba, Jwarha, Bhele, Tshawe, Cirha, Sango, Mfene, Jola and Dabane. According to oral tradition, the modern Xhosa Kingdom was founded somewhere before the 15th century by Tshawe (whom the royal clan of the Xhosas is named after) who overthrew his brother Cirha (assisted by his brother Jwarha) with the help of the amaNgwevu clan of the amaMpondomise Kingdom. Tshawe and his army then incorporated formerly independent Nguni clans into the Xhosa Kingdom. Khoekhoe tribes were incorporated, including the Inqua, the Giqwa, and the amaNgqosini (both Khoi and Sotho origin). Formerly independent clans (many of Khoekhoe origin) and chiefdoms in the region became tributary to the amaTshawe and spoke isiXhosa as their primary language. The Xhosa polity achieved political ascendancy over most of the Cape Khoe extending to the very fringes of the Cape Peninsula.

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