Mpondo people

The story of the origins of ema-Mpondweni was told to personify and symbolise the fact that it was a nation with lands shaped like a horn, when it includes the lands ema-Mpondomiseni, and to make it easier for telling Iintsomi, meaning educative stories. Taking Mpondo as the son since it was used for defending and Mpondomise as the daughter since it was used for attacking and negotiation. Thus according to the Mpondo oral tradition, they are the legendary descendants of King Mpondo, the grandson of King Sibiside who was the leader of the once-powerful Embo nation (Aba-Mbo or Ma-Mbo). Mpondo people are part of the Aba-Mbo group who are thought to have migrated from the Great Lakes into modern-day South Africa or the race of people coming from Ethiopia and along Zambia down past Eswatini, believed to be under the Great Kingdom of Kush. This is evident from the ruling plant in the coast south-east of Africa and north-west of Madagascar, the marijuana plant. It grows in abundance from ema-Mpondweni up the coast and the coast of Madagascar. It is through king Sibiside that Mpondo the forefather of the nation emerges together with other well-known nations. Mpondo people share a common lineage with Ama-Mpondomise, Ama-Xesibe, Abakwa-Mkhize, Ama-Bomvu and Ama-Bomvana. King Sibiside's offspring: • Mavovo ( King Sibiside's heir and father of the Mkhize clan) • Gubhela (his descendants also call themselves abakwa-Mkhize) • Nomafu (Ama-Bomvu and Ama-Bomvana) • Njanya (Ama-Mpondo, Ama-Mpondomise, Ama-Xesibe) Mpondo and Mpondomise were twins. There is an ongoing argument about the twin who was the eldest, the most commonly held view is that Mpondo is the senior twin. It is said that 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 and Mpondo and his followers were the first ones to leave and settle elsewhere away from their father's land.Historically confirmed by early historians and custodians it was proven that Amampondo were the first to occupy EC,other ethnic groups like Amampondomise,Abathembu,Amaxhosa,Amabomvane were all welcomed by Amampondo when passing the Umzimkhulu river. "The invasion of Shaka's forces into Mpondoland commenced in 1824, during the tumultuous period known as the Mfecane. The Zulu army waged war against the Mpondo kingdom, but the latter valiantly defended their territory, successfully repelling the invaders. The Zulu forces suffered significant losses, with many starving and losing their cattle. Those who survived were forced to forage for wild watermelons, known as 'amabhece' in Zulu or 'ujodo' in IsiMpondo, to sustain themselves. Consequently, this conflict became known as the 'Impi yama Bhece'. A subsequent Zulu invasion occurred in 1828, preceded by a warning from a white messenger named Henry Fynn, who had arrived from Zululand. Despite initial skepticism from the Mpondo people, Fynn's message proved accurate, and King Faku prepared his army for battle. The king strategically relocated women and children to the Mngazi forests west of the Mzimvubu River, while his eldest son, Prince Ndamase, led the Mpondo army. The Zulu forces, bolstered by a contingent of white soldiers armed with modern weaponry, posed a formidable threat. However, King Faku's astute observation and the Mpondo chiefs' counsel led to a decisive victory, reportedly facilitated by supernatural means – it is said that King Faku unleashed wild dogs and hyenas to devour the enemy, dispersing and driving the Zulu forces and their allies back to Natal. A third Zulu invasion was thwarted at the Mthavuna River, where Faku's traditional healer employed magical African powers to prevent the Zulus from crossing. This victory solidified the Mpondo kingdom's boundaries and earned King Faku enduring recognition as a wise and powerful leader. Throughout this period, the Mpondo people fought numerous wars against neighboring tribes, including the Abathembu of Ngoza, the Amazizi of Mavumengwana, the Amampondomise of Mhlontlo, the Amabomvana of Gambusha, the Amaqwabe of Nqetho,Amaxhosa of Sarhili,Abathembu of Ngubengcuka and the Amabhaca of Ncapayi. To this day, the Mpondo people take pride in their heritage, acknowledging King Faku as a warrior, diplomat, and visionary leader who safeguarded their land and legacy" . == Ama-Mpondo-Kingdom ==