AmaMpondomise

The Mpondomise people, also called Ama-Mpondomise, are a Xhosa-speaking people. Their traditional homeland has been in the contemporary era Eastern Cape province of South Africa, during apartheid they were located both in the Ciskei and Transkei region. Like other separate Xhosa-speaking kingdoms such as Aba-Thembu and Ama-Mpondo, they speak Xhosa and are at times considered as part of the Xhosa people.

The Ama-Mpondomise form part of the AbaMbo ethnic group of South Africa one of few indigenous groups of Southern Africa along side the San and Khoekhoe. The formal establishment of the ethnic groups as a separate nation from the other local AbaMbo. They are not Nguni but some people turn to confuse them with Nguni people due to the intermarriage. Their Kingdom was established 1000s of years before the European and other native tribes arrived. One of their notable kings is estimated around 13th century. The San and AmaMpondomise are the earliest residence of what was later to be renamed East Griqualand by the colonialist government of Hamilton Hope chief Magistrate. The area of Maclear did not have Griquas or Khoe descendants up until Adam Kok arrived later in the 1800s and found both the San and AmaMpondomise residing and intermarrying; in fact, one of the most notable royal clans of AmaMpondomise, the Jola/Majola clan, are descendants of the intermarriage between AmaMpondomise and the San. The Mpondomise encountered colonists migrating further inland and eastwards from the Cape of Good Hope.

As a result of colonial conquest, a majority of ama-Mpondomise speak Xhosa, with a minority who are bilingual speaking Mpondomise as their home language and Xhosa as a second language. Some people view Mpondomise as a dialect of Xhosa. However, the language is dying out.

Origins
The name Mpondomise, which means "to hold your horns upright", is a descriptor for the mountainous lands that the ethnic group occupied. It is also to signify the fighting strength of the nation. The Mpondomise originate in traditional Southern Nguni and Mbo lands in south-east Africa and the northern parts of the Western Cape. They presently reside in KwaZulu Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. They are part of the Nguni people, being part of the greatest subdivision of the Ngunis i.e. the Aba-Mbo people. Aba-Mbo people include some Zulus (Mkhize, Mavovo, Majola etc.), some Tswanas (Bapo), Swatis (particularly Dlaminis from which the monarch of Eswatini comes), Mpondos, Ama-Xesibe and Ama-Bomvu and Ama-Bomvana descendants of Nomafu. Ama-Mpondomise did not migrate to Southern Africa because the region forms parts of their land. The Lebombo born that is estimated to be about 35 000 years the oldest mathematical tool in the world, which is similar to the Ishango bone found in the Lebombo border serves as proof that Nguni and Ama-Mbo are indigenous to Southern Africa.

In abaMbo history and tradition, Mpondomise are seen as wise since the name metaphorically means to be dual in nature or to raise your horn: in other words, to be diplomatic but also be ready to attack (with the literal meaning being "hold your horns upright"). Mpondomise people are the descendants of King Mpondomise, the grandson of King Sibiside who was the leader of the once-powerful Embo nation (Aba-Mbo or Ma-Mbo). It is through king King Sibiside's son Prince Njanya (the father of Prince Mpondomise) that the Mpondomise nation emerged together with other Nguni nations or ethnic groups as a force to be reckoned with. It is also through King Sibiside (the king of the aba-Mbo and grandfather of Mpondomise) that Mpondomise people are cousins to other aba-Mbo people such as Ama-Mpondo (who was Mpondomise's the twin), Ama-Xesibe (born after the twins), ooMkhize and ooDlamini (regardless of Nguni affiliation, including those who are so-called "Mfengu" ).

Since Mpondomise and Mpondo were twins, there is an ongoing argument as to which twin was the eldest. The most commonly held view is that Mpondomise is the senior twin. It is said tha,t while out hunting, Mpondo killed a lion and refused to hand over the skin to Mpondomise as was the custom (the senior was entitled to skins of certain animals). The tension between the two started from that day. Mpondo and his followers had to leave and settle elsewhere away from their father's land, as custom dictates that the senior inherits the father's land.

In terms of genealogy of kings, King Sibiside begests:
 * 1) Njanya (Ama-Mpondo, Ama-Mpondomise, Ama-Xesibe)
 * 2) Mavovo (father of the Mkhize clan) King Sibiside’s heir
 * 3) Gubhela (his descendants also call themselves abakwa-Mkhize)
 * 4) Nomafu (whose descendants are known as Ama-Bomvu and Ama-Bomvana)

It is worth noting that Ama-Mpondomise also intermarried with the San people. This can be picked up in their language that has various clicks. Evidence is also found in their clan names. The Mpondomise openly assert themselves as a San woman's descendants (thole loMthwakazi).

Mpondomise and Bhaca Conflict
According to Mpondomise counselor Vethe Mziziba AmaBhaca found AmaMpondomise at Mcuthu and defeated them however AmaMpodomise would just not submit to the letter because AmaBhaca were rather backward people who would gruesomely kill even defenseless old men women and children in times of battle, faced with this crisis AmaMpondomise appealed for help from AbaThembu, King Ngubengcuka agreed to join hands with AmaMpondomise against AmaBhaca and proceeded to cross the Tsitsa river to join them.

AmaMpondomise was defeated once again but the arrival of Ngubengcuka turned the tables and successfully drove back AmaBhaca, it was not a easy Victory as AmaBhaca were able to escape and settle near AmaCina.

Ama-Mpondomise-Kingdom
After existing as a kingdom for over 800 years, the Ama-Mpondomise-people were stripped of their Royal status by the Union of South Africa in 1904 after King Mhlontlo KaMatiwane was accused of killing a Qumbu magistrate, Hamilton Hope, and two white police officers during the Mpondomise Revolt in 1880-81. Although King Mhlontlo KaMatiwane was acquitted of the murder charge, he lost his kingship by administrative action. The Ama-Mpondomise-nation’s hopes were again dashed during the democratic dispensation when the Nhlapo Commission found in 2005 that they had no claim to a kingship. However, a 115-year battle, for this anti-colonial nation, to get their king and kingdom reinstalled and reinstated respectively, ended when the Eastern Cape High Court (Mthatha) officially recognised the Ama-Mpondomise's-kingship. It ordered that the kingship be reinstated. With the presiding judge setting aside the Tolo Commission's decision to oppose the Ama-Mpondomise’s claim of kingship.

Genealogy of kings
The most prominent of all the kings of the Ama-Mpondomise was King Myeki. Both royal houses include him in their clan names. (Born:1120-Died:1202) (Born:1151-Died:1225) (Born:1205-Died:1277) [Reigned:1225 Till 1277] (Born:1229-Died:1304) [Reigned:1277 Till 1304] (Born:1263-Died:1346) [Reigned:1304 Till 1346] (Born:1291-Died:1368) [Reigned:1346 Till 1368] (Born:1322-Died:1385) [Reigned:1368 Till 1385] (Born:1348-Died:1410) [Reigned:1385 Till 1410] (Born:1376-Died:1443) [Reigned:1412 Till 1443]
 * King Sibiside [Fathered: Prince Njanya & Prince Shange & Prince Ngcongo & Prince Hlengwa & Princess Madlebe & Princess Lebuka & Princess Nomafu]
 * King Njanya [Fathered: Prince Mpondo & Prince Mpondomise & Prince Xesibe & Prince Nyambose & Prince Chibi]
 * King Mpondomise [Fathered: Prince Snduntu & Prince Hlahlane & Prince Vamba]
 * King Snduntu [Fathered: Prince Nxunxa]
 * King Nxunxa [Fathered: Prince Blambeza]
 * King Blambeza [Fathered: Prince Malangana]
 * King Malangana [Fathered: Prince Sikhomo]
 * King Sikhomo [Fathered: Prince Rhudulu & Prince Hlombose]
 * King Hlombose [Fathered: Prince Ntose]

who was assisted by his maternal uncle Prince Rhudulu Ka-Sikhomo led the Aba-Mbo movement from their third settlement in Natal/Swatini, settled near the source of a mysterious river called Dedesi. This is where they resided with Ama-Xhosa-kingdom and Aba-Thembu-kingdom under the King Togu Ka-Sikhomo and King Hala Ka-Dhlomo respectively. Ama-Mpondo-kingdom crossed the Mzimkhulu river first and. Hlombose’s great son and heir Ntose took over on the demise of King Hlombose. (Born:1409-Died:1461) [Reigned:1443 Till 1461] (Born:1428-Died:1493) [Held-Power:1461 till 1464] (Born:1434-Died:1498) [Reigned:1464 Till 1498] (Born:1469-Died:1522) [Reigned:1498 Till 1522] (Born:1493-Died:1545) [Reigned:1522 Till 1545] (Born:1518-Died:1567) [Reigned:1545 Till 1567] (Born:1540-Died:1592) [Reigned:1567 Till 1592] (Born:1561-Died:1624) [Reigned:1592 Till 1624] (Born:1585-Died:1653) [Reigned:1624 Till 1653] (Born:1612-Died:1675) [Reigned:1653 Till 1675] (Born:1644-Died:1708) [Reigned:1675 Till 1708] (Born:1665-Died:1732) [Reigned:1708 Till 1732] (Born: 1702 – Died: 1758) [Reigned:1732 till 1758] ) (Born:1718-Died:1771) [Reigned:1758 Till 1771] (Born: 1725 – Died: 1785) [Held power: 1771–1785] (Born:1745-Died:1807) [Reigned:1785 Till 1807] (Born:1753-Died:1820) [Held-Power:1807-1814] (Born:1778-Died:1851) [Reigned:1814 Till 1851] (Born:1803-Died:1865) [Reigned:1851 Till 1865] (Born:1815-died:1880) [Held-Power:1865-1870] (Born:1837-Died:1912) [Reigned:1870 Till 1912] (Born:1881-Died:1936) [Reigned:1912 Till 1936] (Born:1895-Died:1968) [Held-Power:1936-1939] (Born:1919-Died:1962) [Reigned:1939 Till 1962] (Born:1921-Died:1984) [Reigned:1962 Till 1984] (Born:1953-Died:2018) [Reigned:1984 Till 2018] south Africa today) or otherwise known as (Luzuko (Born:1978-Alive:Aging) [Reigning:since 2018 Till Present-Date]
 * King Ntose [Fathered: Prince Ngcwina & Prince Cwerha & Prince Mpinga & Prince Dhlombo & Prince Debeza & Prince Nqukhwe & Prince Hlongothi & Prince Gxarha & Prince Ntsikhwe]
 * Regency-King Cwerha [Fathered:????????] (he was a regent for his younger brother King Ngcwina Ka-Ntose who was next in line to the Ama-Mpondomise-throne because their father King Ntose Ka-Hlombose died while Ngcwina was still in a process of entering an initiation school)
 * King Ngcwina [Fathered: Prince Cirha & Prince Dosini & Prince Nxothwe & Prince Nxamase & Prince Ngcinase & Prince Ngcitshana & Prince Gcaga & Prince Ngqukatha & Prince Bhukwana & Prince Zumbe]
 * King Cirha [Fathered: Prince Sabe & Princess Lodumo]
 * King Sabe [Fathered: Prince Mhlande & Prince Mhagana & Prince Krhancolo & Prince Gqwetha & Prince Gqubusha]
 * King Mhlande [Fathered: Prince Nvongeza & Prince Ngxabane]
 * King Nvongeza [Fathered: Prince Qengeba]
 * King Qengeba [Fathered: Prince ("Majola") Jongolunde & Prince Tshanzi]
 * King ("Majola") Jongolunde [Fathered: Prince Dhlazane]
 * King Dhlazane [Fathered: Prince Ngwanya & Prince Njomose]
 * King Ngwanya [Fathered: Prince Phahlo]
 * King Phahlo [Fathered: Prince Sonthlo & Princess Mbingwa & Prince Mgabisa & Prince Sixhuba]
 * Queen Mbingwa [Mothered:she never had children of her own] or otherwise known as (Mamani kaPhahlo) (She was the eldest daughter of King Phahlo ka-Ngwanya of all his Female children, and she became queen in her own right and influenced the succession of her brother king Sonthlo Ka-Phahlo).
 * King Sonthlo [Fathered: Prince Mngcambe & Prince Hlontshi]
 * Regency-King Mgabisa [Fathered: Prince Velelo] (he was a regent for his nephew King Mngcambe Ka-Sonthlo who was away training in an initiation school center but then when he returned home his uncle who was the caretaker for the throne refused to hand over the reins to him then war broke out which led to his being killed in battle)
 * King Mngcambe [Fathered: Prince Myeki & Prince Gxumisa & Prince Notshweleka & Prince Xhoki]
 * Regency-King Velelo [Fathered: Prince Diko] (He was a regent for his cousin King Myeki Ka-Mngcambe who was away in an initiation school preparing for his leadership on the Ama-Mpondomise-Throne but then same that happened with his father and great grand uncle who fought for the Throne happened to him too but than his cousin who was a caretaker for the nation fled the battle ground and escaped opening a way for King Myeki to take his place on the throne)
 * King Myeki [Fathered: Prince Matiwane & Prince Mtshotsho & Prince Mbhali & Prince Ndamane Prince Mcelu]
 * King Matiwane [Fathered: Prince Mhlontlo & Prince Xhabadiya & Prince Matshiki & Prince Noqholo]
 * Regency-King Mbhali [Fathered:????????] (He was a regent for his nephew King Mhlontlo Ka-Matiwane who was not prepared for his leadership role when his father King Matiwane Ka-Myeki who was Killed by Ama-Bhaca-People in Bettle so then his uncle held-power for him until his under the initiation process in order to sit on the Ama-Mpondomise-Throne)
 * King Mhlontlo [Fathered: Prince Tshalisi & Prince Ntabankulu]
 * King Tshalisi [Fathered: Prince Sigidi & Prince Dailiza]
 * Regency-King Ntabankulu [Fathered:????????] (he was a regent for his nephew King Sigidi Ka-Tshalisi because he was too young to rule Ama-Mpondomise-People so then his uncle had to hold the throne for him until he was old enough to rule on his own which he did and allowed him to take back his place on the royal sit and there was no bad blood when handing over the reins to him)
 * King Sigidi [Fathered:he never had children of his own] (He was first to be king but than he died before he could produce his own Children so than the royal family decided give the throne to his younger brother.)
 * King Dailiza [Fathered: Prince Welisha]
 * King Welisha [Fathered: Prince Zwelozuko & Prince Zwelitsha]
 * King Zwelozuko [Fatherd:????????] (He is the current reigning monarch of Ama-Mpondomise-people in

Prince Luzuko is yet to ascend the throne. His coronation has been delayed by the Dosini royal line's unsuccessfully contest for the succession.
 * Dosini’s descedants in terms of the Ama-Mpondomise Kingship claimants were: Dosini - Nqabashe-Nceleduna - Mqhorana - Hala - Marule - Mxoko - Gxaba - Nyakatya - Sigiwili - Masethi (from whom this royal family derives its surname)- Ntamnani - Myezo - Ntombenkonzo. Ntombenkonzo is the current claimant from this line. She has lost the case in court -see court papers in references

Language
Colonists wrongly identified Mpondomise as Xhosa. Some colonists later identified Mpondomise as a dialect of Xhosa. Consequently, ama-Mpondomise people had to learn and speak Xhosa fluently to conduct business. Contemporarily, Mpondomise people speak Xhosa as a home language or as a second language in order to conduct business since Mpondomise is not recognised as an official language of the Republic of South Africa. There is a minority, comprising mostly older people, who speak the language. They are concentrated in the far eastern part of the Eastern Cape, primarily in the OR Tambo District Municipality, in the Tsolo and Qumbu villages where the great house and right-hand house reside, respectively. Other languages similar to Mpondomise include Swati, Ndebele and the various Tekela languages of nations such as ama-Mpondo, Ama-Hlubi and Ama-Zizi.

Ama-mpondomise are learning Xhosa at schools and are required to select Xhosa as their preferred language on official documents such as government forms. Consequently, they are slowly losing their language. This is also evident in that ama-Mpondomise linguistically identify themselves with their cousins, ama-Xhosa, as Xhosa speaking people; while retaining a separate ethnic identity as ama-Mpondomise.

Mpondomise clans and tributary clans
The Mpondomise people comprise various clans. First are clans that arise out of the many houses of the kings. Second are clans of the older Aba-Mbo nation from which Mpondomise was born out. Therefore clan names are indicative of people's ancestors (or dynasties and cadet branches). Third, there are clans or ethnic groups who have immigrated to the kingdom of the Mpondomise and now pay tribute to the Mpondomise kingdom.

In more detail
 * From Bhukwana – ooMbara, Mtshobo, Phaphulengonyama, Into ezingaphathwa mntu ngoba zizinkosi ngokwazo
 * From Debeza – OoDebeza, ngoJebe, Nonyanya, Nongoqo, Mbeka Ntshiyini Bathi uqumbile, Khonkcoshe Mbokodo engava mkwetsho
 * From Dosini – ooDosini, Ncele, Ntose, Nqabashe, Ngcelenduna, Mqhorhana, Ngxow'inoboya, uNoyiila, uNogqaz'umthonyama, isihlobo sikaMthimkhulu, sikaBhungane yena mntu ungaphezulu nakuThixo kuba abantu ubanike amabele, Ingqoq'enebal, Ngwanya kaMajola, uMajola inyoka enothando kuba ityelela abafazi endlwini (The royals of the Mpondomise, the right-hand house).
 * From Gxarha – Gxarha -Cwerha, Vambane, Mahlahlana, Mlawu, Potwana, Siyoyo
 * From Jola – SingaMampondomse ngohlanga (i.e. we are ethnically Mpondomise), ooJola, ooJoliNkomo, ooMphaNkomo, ooQengeba, OoNgwanya, Nomakhala, Njuza, S'thukuthezi, sithandwa mhla kukubi, Hoshode, Hakaha, mfaz' obele 'nye omabele made, oncancisa naphesheya komlambo (The royals of the Mpondomise, the great house). The South African politician, Fikile Mbalula is from this clan.
 * From Mpehle – amaMpehle, Vengwa, Dikana, Cabashe, Nohushe
 * From Mpinga – ooMpinga, Mawawa, Mbala kaNkqoshe, Mpondomise, Ntose, Nto'mntwana, Ngwangwashe, uSenzwa, Sineka, Mbetshane, Hlahla lamsik' umntu esendeni, Ngceza, Sintila, Nyaw'zinoshukela, mzukulu kaSityulu, kheth'omthandayo, yazi b'inobaya ifanelwe ngabafana. This is the clan of Enoch Sontonga, the author of "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika", part of the National Anthem of Republic of South Africa.
 * From Nxasana – NguSikonza, uNxasana, uTotoba, uDunjane, uMalilelwaziintombi zithi ndizeke, adinamama andinatata, uBhili, uMagazo, uLunguza, gastyeketye umbona obomvu othandwa ngabantwana
 * From Nxotwe – ooNxotwe, Gabazi, Qamkazi, Mfuza afulele okwelifu lemvula, Mpondomise
 * From Nxuba – ooNxuba, Mduma, Rhudulu, Mngcengane
 * From Skhoji – (Inzala ka William Saunders wase Scotland)
 * From Skhomo – ooUmntu womlambo,Tshangisa, Mhlatyana, Rhudulu, uNxub’ongafiyo ofa ngokuvuthelwa, Mngwevu, Jola, Manz’amnyama, Qengebe, Mhaga
 * From Zongozi – ooSenzela ooPhondo liyagexeza (bazalwa nguNtose kaCirha ikumkani yama-Mpondomise, hayi lo wama-Xhosa)

There are tributary clans such as:
 * Mphuthi, Nyathi, Msuthu, uRhahla, Rhabani, Tsiki, Nhose; Oogaxel’umbengo, boya beNyathi, Amathol’enkomo zikaNyathi, abeSuthu, ebePhuth'ephuthini! Oozishuba zimdakana phesheya komlanjana wegqili, Izilwana zona zehla ezintabeni zokhahlamba ngeziluluthwana, sithetha ngenzala ka Nose (Nhose) kubafazi bakhe abathathu kuMawushe ewe uMatshezi naye uMamhlwane. Esikhoyo isikululwana sesabo OoQhaziyana, OoGeorge kwa noLanga iinkulu zakhe. Ziintsuthu zaseQuthini (Sotho) ngokomlandu kodwa ngenxa yemfuduko zokhokho bafumaneka Eastern Cape kuTsolo kwela ma-Mpondomise eMcwangele [ama-Mpondomise ngokuma] “Nje ngoko namagama ezixela ziintsuthu ezi ngobuhlanga”
 * Nyathi uMsuthu, uMphuthi, uRhahla, uRhabani, uTsiki, uNhose; Oogaxel’umbengo, boya beNyathi, Amathol’enkomo zikaNyathi, abeSuthu, ebePhuth'ephuthini! Oozishuba zimdakana phesheya komlanjana wegqili, Izilwana zona zehla ezintabeni ngeziluluthwana, Nje ngoko namagama ezixela ziintsuthu ezi ngobuhlanga” sithetha ngenzala ka Nose (Nhose) kubafazi bakhe abathathu kuMawushe, uMatshezi naye umaMhlwane. Esikhoyo isikululwana sesabo oonyana neenkulu zakhe,uQhaziyana uGeorge kwa noLanga. Ziintsuthu zaseQuthini (Sotho) ngokomlandu kodwa ngenxa yemfuduko/ mfeguza zokhokho bafumaneka Eastern Cape kuTsolo kwela maMpondomise eMcwangele [amaMpondomise ngokuma]

Culture and religion
Among the Mpondomise people, most practise African religions alongside Christianity. African religions encompass ancestral worship (or veneration) and sometimes some Totemism in which a spiritual meaning is attached to some animals and plants, which may be deified. For Mpondomise people this is uMajola (mole snake). This snake is revered and venerated. They believe that it visits a newborn "to prepare it for a successful and safe adult life. It comes as a friend and protector. The friendship it expresses is not anchored in a benign demonstration of goodwill but rather an active expression of solidarity and striving to support and encourage long-term success of the young and growing members of the human race." A visitation from uMajola signifies good fortune. It also means the ancestors are showing their favour on the visited people or family. Killing the snake is believed to have severe physiological and psychological consequences. This last part is central to the plot of the famous Xhosa novel Ingqumbo yeminyanya ("The Wrath of the Ancestors"). The snake is common in South Africa in the provinces where generally abaMbo (and by extension amaMpondomise) mostly reside: KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape.

Notable People

 * Steve Komphela – South African football manager and a former footballer.
 * Fikile Mbalula – South African politician.
 * Raymond Mhlaba – South African politician and first Premier of the Eastern Cape.
 * Thulas Nxesi – South African politician.
 * Enoch Sontonga – South African composer of the national anthem.
 * Mvuyo Tom – South African doctor, administrator and academic.