Thembu Kingdom
The Thembu (Xhosa: AbaThembu) are Xhosa people who were living in the Thembu Kingdom.
Siyaɓalala, chief of the Ndungwana clan of the Thembu, c. 1930s | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 3.3 million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| South Africa Lesotho | |
| Languages | |
| IsiXhosa | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity, African Traditional Religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Xhosa, Mpondo, Swati, Zulu, Khoisan |
| The Thembu/Tamboekie people | |
|---|---|
| Person | UmThembu |
| People | AbaThembu |
| Language | IsiXhosa |
| Country | Thembuland region in the Xhosa Kingdom |
According to Xhosa oral tradition, the Thembu migrated along the east coast of southern Africa before settling in KwaZulu-Natal. The earliest known Thembu ancestor is Mbulali, whose grandson (named Thembu), led his people from what became the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal to Dedesi in the present-day Transkei region of South Africa. The Thembu emerged as a unified people during the reign of Ngxeko/Nxekwa, who united clans living in Thembuland into a single political entity, owing allegiance to the Thembu royal family, or "Hala Mvelase." Famous Thembus include Nelson Mandela, whose father was a reigning nobleman from a junior branch of the Madiba clan of kings, and Walter Sisulu.