Xhosa clan names

Xhosa clan names (isiduko (sing.), iziduko (pl.) in Xhosa) are family names that are considered more important than surnames among Xhosa people. Much like the clan system of Scotland, each Xhosa person can trace their family history back to a specific male ancestor or stock. Mentioning the clan name of someone is the highest form of respect, and it is considered polite to enquire after someone's clan name on meeting. The clan name is also sometimes used as an by members of that clan.

When a woman marries, she may take her husband's surname, but she always keeps her own clan name and adds the prefix Ma- to it. A man and a woman who have the same clan name may not marry, as they are considered to be related.

A few clan names of amaXhosa and related ethnic groups include: AmaNzotho, ooKhawuta kaGcaleka, ooMaphango, ooNgxale, ooNyelenzi, ooPhalo, ooTshiwo kaTswawe, kaMalangana (AmaXhosa omthonyama)

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uBukula ngulo wamisela uNtsele kubukhulu bamaHlubi, gokusuka amkhelele amanzi ngophondo ukuba awase kuise-mkhulu uDlomo. AbakwaMaphela isekwa ngabakwaNkwali. Balifumana eli gama kuba ubutyebi babo buska banyakasela ngokwamaphela, kwaba se kusithiwas ngabakwaMaphela. “Ngabakwa Nkwal’ enkosi, Enyon’ engadliwa ngabafokazana idliwa ngamakhosi. Ngabakwa Buz’ elikhul’ elagedl’ umhlanga, Kwavel’ amaBuz’ abuzwana. NgabakwaNongubo-ntloko. Abanye bazitetil’ abanye bazithwele. Inkwali yintak’ engcondo zibomvu Edla ikhethe lomfula”…” Source: IZiduko zama Hlubi, ngu Henry Masila Ndawo. Published by Lovedale Press, 1939. Found at Rhodes University Library. Last updated 12/03/2013 nguNkwali, uBukula, uThando wakwa Mjebeza kaNokuni ozalwaNgumsithi yena ozalwangu Mjebeza eGobozana eQonce.

Ndambe; Fafa; Rhudulu; Teyise; Mfunguma; Goduka; Sandali; Thole; Ncayiyana; Thetho; Holomika; Jambase; Mthimkhulu; Ngqeleni; Mkhence; Mafahla; Joseph; January; Mphela; Ndumazi; Bhaziya; Ncuthu; Rheme; Jayiya; Zusana; Ngwana; Molomeka; Malema; Fandesi; Sethima; Sidima; Ngconde; mkhabela; Ncusamba; Xesibe; Mfikazwe; Masinga; Msiza; Yawa; Yaso; Ohoiwa;Dyani; Qoqoba; Ntsunde; Bandezi; Mqikela; Mqhayi; Mkabani; Sonto; Mai; Vrekke; Damane;Jiyaso; Ntsima; Ndeze; Zenzile; Maphanga; Zuma; Jombose; Ndayisa; Fe; Ndila; ndzimande; Bhodlo; Mzimkhulu; Mbotho; Doseni; Dosini; mMqinase; Coko; Vilane; Njanya; mzoyiyana; Mzozoyana; Tuni; Tau; Baloyi; Valoi; vabooi; Booi; Saliso; Mndima; Mdingi; Ndlobeni; Ndlovukazi; Ndaba; tshaziya; tshaka; lembe; Nemba; Lemba; Bhekuzulu; Bhekezulu; Mantantayise; Sesulu; Sisulu; Ngiba; Ngidi; Goreh; Ngcandana; Mtsamai; Bereng;Tsaitsai; Ncede;Zukulu; Mkhonde; Chitwayo; Ndengane; Feketha; Ndala; Bhubesi; Lamaani; Ndrishan; Drouze; Fulmake and Solika ka Ndebela Mande; Makubalo

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