Mpondo

Mpondo people
AmaMpondo

The son of Mpondo chief Faku (before 1864)
Total population
(~2 million)
Regions with significant populations
South Africa
Languages
isiMpondo, Xhosa, English
Religion
Christianity, African Traditional Religion
Related ethnic groups
Xhosa, Swati, Zulu other Bantu peoples

The Mpondo people, also called AmaMpondo and Pondo, are a Southern African ethnic group. Their traditional homeland has been in the contemporary era Eastern Cape province of South Africa, more specifically what used to be the Transkei region. They speak a Nguni / Mbo language called isiMpondo which is grammatically similar to both isiXhosa and isiZulu.

During the colonial and Apartheid era, the Mpondo people lived in Pondoland of the Republic of Transkei along with Xhosa people and others. They are sometimes incorrectly referred as a Xhosa subgroup. While they share some history and culture with the ethnic groups they live with, the Mpondo people have their distinct roots, culture, history and heritage.

According to the Mpondo oral tradition, they are the legendary descendants of Mpondo, the grandson of Sibiside who was the leader of the once-powerful Mbo nation (AbaMbo or MaMbo). Mpondo people are part of AbaMbo group who migrated from the Great Lakes into modern-day South Africa, having settled along the way in areas like Zambia and Swaziland. 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 AmaMpondomise, AmaXesibe, AbakwaMkhize, AmaBomvu and AmaBomvana.

Sibiside's offsprings:

Mpondo and Mpondomise were twins. There's an ongoing argument about which twin is the eldest, the most commonly held view is that Mpondomise is the senior twins. 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.

The Mpondo people are currently seeking for their language to be recognised as the 12th official language of the Republic of South Africa. Other Mbo languages include isiSwati, isiNdebele and the vaious "tekela" languages of nations such as AmaHlubi and AmaZizi. However, since isiXhosa was introduced in schools around Mpondoland most Mpondo people are also fluent in isiXhosa. AmaMpondo also interbred with the San people at an earlier stage and this can be picked up in their language that has various clicks.

The great house of Mpondo is called Qawukeni and is situated in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape. The right-hand house is called Nyandeni and is situated in Libode, Eastern Cape. The Nyandeni house enjoyed autonomy for decades and was often referred to as Western Mpondoland, while the Qawukeni house was referred to as Eastern Mpondoland.