Forgotten Nation I

The once-powerful nation, that is presently viewed as a Subtribe to its larger ethnic nations, is called Amahlubi. The Hlubi, collectively are known as AmaHlubi and a person born of this tribe, umHlubi. AmaHlubi are also known as amaZawa or amaNgelengele. They are neither Zulu, Xhosa nor a Sotho-Xhosa mix.

Amahlubi are a Bantu tribe that is said to originally come from Central Africa and migrated south with other Bathu, later Nguni tribes in unknown period centuries prior to the arrival of the Dutch.

A known historical fact is that they settled in the South Eastern side of South Africa now known as KwaZulu Natal. The Ancestral Seat was uMzinyathi which was said to be on the border of Zululand in the reigns of Shaka, Dingane and Mpande kaSenzangakhona.

In order to understand the History of Amahlubi its important to know its Kings and Chiefs as they are important to the rise, demise and dispersion of Amahlubi.

While there are 26 known monarchs who were at the helm till the present day (please see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hlubi_Kings), the focus shall be on King Mthimkhulu I who is said to have reigned roughly in 1650-1675.

Ncobo kaMthimkhulu I reigned after his father, He had no heirs to take over and after his death, his brother Rhadebe had to sire an heir on his behalf from the Great wife Lamahlubi. Rhadebe ruled as king while the heir Dlomo I came of age. AmaNgelengele as they were known became the Hlubi nation named after Indlovukazi Lamahlubi. The Royal House instead of taking Ncobo or Rhadebe's name instead chose the previous King, their Grandfather's name.

Dlomo I reigned and took over from Rhadebe when he came of age.

Dlomo I sired Mashiya, who sired Ntsele who is notable for defeating rival clan AmaNgwane.

Mlotsha kaNtsele took his Ancestor's name (Bhungane) upon ascending the throne after his father's death, being the first monarch to do so. Bhungane II Reigned from 1760 to 1800 history has it He was a great herbalist with Rainmaking powers, it is said a young Mthethwa Prince, Dingiswayo who was in exile from his homeland sought refuge from King Bhungane II, oral history also has it that Dingiswayo received King's medicine from Bhungane II. King Bhungane II's kingdom was said to be one of the largest kingdoms that didn't expand through conquest.

Bhungane had two sons who are integral to the present-day history of Amahlubi, which were Ngwazindlovu who later became Mthimkhulu II of the Great House and Mpangazitha of the Right house.