An Account of AmaMfengu Tribe's Events and Settlement in Willowvale

This essay delves into the history of the AmaMfengu tribe, focusing on their settlement and events in the Willowvale District of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, since 1878. The research explores the tribe's origins, migration patterns, and interactions with other groups, particularly the Xhosa people. It investigates the factors contributing to the AmaMfengu's unique identity, including their agricultural practices, trade activities, and rejection of certain Xhosa social structures. The essay examines the tribe's historical territory, the role of chiefs, and the impact of significant events such as the Ngcayecibi war of 1878. The study addresses research problems related to the potential loss of the AmaMfengu's identity and the significance of their history, culture, and land. The research objectives include describing the Fingo/abaMbo concept, identifying migration paths, and analyzing the role of chiefs and settlements in Willowvale. The essay also assesses the validity and reliability of the research, drawing on authentic sources to provide a comprehensive account of the AmaMfengu's story. The essay highlights the tribe's struggle for survival and preservation of their unique cultural identity.

A tribe in the verge of extinction, yet it
exists: An account of the sequence of
events and settlement, by amaMFengu
(Fingo), in Willowvale District (Eastern
Cape), since 1878.

Table of Contents
TITLE :............................................................................................................................................1
Thesis: .............................................................................................................................................1
Introduction .....................................................................................................................................1
Literature Review ............................................................................................................................6
Research Methodology ................................................................................................................13
Discussion .....................................................................................................................................16
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................22
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................23
.......................................................................................................................................................24

TITLE :
A TRIBE IN THE VERGE OF EXTINCTION: An account of the sequence of events and
settlement by amaMFengu (Fingo), in Willowvale District (Eastern Cape), since 1878.
Thesis:
AmaMfengu tribe exist in Willowvale /Idutywa because they have history, chiefs,
culture, and land.
Introduction
Overview of the Research
In the concept of anthropology, a tribe is considered as a human social group which
comprises numerous families, clans or generations together with slaves, dependents or adoptive
strangers. Tribe is also refers as a social division in a traditional society consisting of families or
communities that are interlinked through social economic, religious or blood ties, with an
appropriate culture and dialect, typically having a recognized leader (Thornberry, 2018). A very
newly formed body representing after the affairs of the AmaMfengu in the Eastern Cape has
expressed dismay at criticism over the reviving of the year of 1835 vows, that involved loyalty to
the British Queen. The general council chairman of Fingo, chief and Cape Town based medical
doctor, Man duleli Bikitsha said, it was totally unfair that the tribe's forefathers had been
recognised as sellouts for collaborating with the British in huge range of fights against other
tribes. AmaMfengu is not the single who collaborated with white forces but many other tribes
did the same and make collaboration with the white forces. The Mfengu are refers as the Bantu
people, who are closely related to the Zulu people, but now often advised to have acquire to the
Xhosa people whose language are considered by them as their own language. As per the
historical study hey attained considerable renown for the ability of their military in the frontier
wars. They are called as Fingo people and they gave their identity or name to the district of
Fingoland which is stated in the South West portion of the Transkel division, in the Cape
Province. This present research paper explores the origins of Fingo (Mfengu) individuality in
South Africa's Eastern Cape. While observers have significantly understood the Fingo as an
ethnic group, the resent research argues that the Fingo-ness developed out of a lifestyle and
world view that recognised agriculture and trade, and rejected established systems of Xhosa
authority. The effective participation of men in farming activities, as well as attempts to involve
1

in trade outside the control of chiefs, established an appropriate break with social practice
through those who recognised as Fingo, who are in challenging broadly acknowledged standards
of Xhosa-ness, were sensed by many Xhosa (and especially Xhosa chiefs) as anti-social and
supernaturally dangerous.
Research Background
Fingoland is considered as a historical territory which is situated in Eastern Cape, South
Africa. It was inhabited primarily through the Fengu people, and it was basically situated in the
south-west portion of the "Transkei" region. Transkei is signiificantly categorised among
territories which is called as the Idutywa Reserve, Fingoland and Galekaland. Indigenous tribes,
Aboriginal of Australian and Red Indian people of America had disappeared due to the reason of
an amaMFengu tribe that will entirely vanish in the territory of South Africa, unless the
persistent conscientiousness of their legitimate existence (Mvenene, 2016). Envisages which the
mfengu of Zizi, Bhele and Hlubi, who are having long and viable history such as Thembu,
Mpondo, mpondomise, would receive positive attention in future. As per the views of Peires
Xhosa and other tribes in the Eastern Cape, who all speak Xhosa language for their
understanding. He also replicates various tribes of the Eastern Cape likewise Thembu, POndo,
Mpondomise, Bomvana, AmaMfengu into Xhosa socialization involving Xhosa as a most used
spoken language. The ascendant clans of Bhele, Zizi, and Hlubi are implied to be amaMfengu
(Fingo) tribes. They are considered as the group of people who fled from Natal for the reason of
wars, just like all other Tribes. They are apportioned all over the geographical area of Transkei.
the Fengu people are basically settled in various areas at different as they were impacted through
the exposure of environment. The amaMFengu of Willowvale and idutywa in basically refers as
a tribe who migrated to Willowvale after they had defeated Sarhili in the war of Ngcayecibi that
occurs in the year of 1878.They were led by their traditional chiefs, in the forefront was Veldman
and Marhanjana Bikitsha. They are proud of their history, and culture for it is core aspect of their
availability or existence. Fingo are the last in the migration of all tribes they are tribe which
happen to be the last of the massive migration of the 17th to 19th century. The AmaMfengu is
available in Willowvale and Idutywa, that assisted territory through their chiefs and enjoying
their societal activities in the year of 1878. This portion of this exploration work is an attempt to
increase their awareness in regards to Mfengu legitimate existance, their history, culture, chiefs,
and land.
2

Research Problem
This refers as the most essential part of investigation work as it provides an appropriate
direction to the investigator to implement all the research activities in appropriate direction
through analysing the research problem in appropriate way. The research into consideration is
based on the analysis of A TRIBE IN THE VERGE OF EXTINCTION: An account of the
sequence of events and settlement by amaMFengu (Fingo), in Willowvale District (Eastern
Cape), since 1878. It is a wide area of study which helps an individual in enhancement of
knowledge and skills base in the specified area of study (Houston & Mbele, 2011). The major
focused area of this particular research is the possibility of a lost identity, for the reason of lost
history and culture through the tribe of AmaMfengu. Fengu were significantly swallowed and
naturalized in the form of Xhosa, their culture, social life which is diluted by wars. The present
exploration work is based on the issue of existence of AbaMbo/ Fingo in Willowvale and
Idutywa. In this present research paper an appropriate investigation is conducted for the purpose
of analysing the issue in appropriate manner and addressing it through accumulation of
appropriate data and information.
Research Purpose
A research project is based on some specific purpose which leads the exploration work in
right direction. Research purpose is a predetermined recognition which helps a researcher in
conducting an appropriate investigation on a specified area of issue for the reason of addressing
them in effective way. The potential purpose of this particular research is to gather evidence in
regards to the aspects what led to abaMbo/ Fingo settlement in Willowvale and Idutywa. The
appropriate evidence helps an investigator in exploring their knowledge area in the abaMbo/
Fingo settlement in Willowvale and Idutywa. This is a wide area of study which provides a
significant direction to individual to attain significant knowledge or idea in regards to the
specified area of study. The given area of study is also helps the learner in exploring their ability
to attain similar area of study in their future (Vilakazi, 2016). A research paper helps an
individual in analysing a issue in appropriate manner through determining various facts and
figures related with the similar area of study. The another significant purpose of this particular
research is to conducting an in-depth evaluation on the historical overview of the availability of
AbaMbo / Fingo in Willowvale and Idutywa.
Research Aim
3

Research Aim is considered as a general statement which is concerning of he overall
goals, ends and intentions of a specified area of study. It also refers as a predetermined
statement, which leads an investigation work in appropriate direction. This is the primary
consideration of a research work as it is the major obligation of the investigator is to define a
research aim in appropriate manner for the completion of the research work in appropriate
manner. The potential aim of this particular research "Is to describe the existence of AbaMbo /
Fingo in Willowvale and Idutywa".
Research Objectives
This is also another important part of the research as it considered as the results that are
sought by the investigator at the end of the investigation process. This section is interconnected
with the aim of the research as in this different statements are prepared on the distinctive variable
of the research project. The essential objectives of this research project is associated as below:
 Describe the Fingo/abaMbo concept
 Describe path of general migration
 Identify Fingo clans
 Identify events and settlements - 1818, 1835, 1865
 Explain migration to Willowvale
 Identity chiefs of willowvale What did they do in Willowvale? (Church, school, governance)
Research Question:
This comes after designing research aim and objectives. In this questions are prepared on
the basis of research objectives (Chimbwete-Phiri & Schnurr, 2017). This part of the research is
effective in carry out the section of literature review in effective manner with appropriate support
of the opinion of various authors and writers. The potential Questions of this particular research
is described as below: What led to Fingo AbaMbo 1878 settlement in Willowvale district and the effect into the
society?
Significance of the Research
The present exploration is based on the analysis of A TRIBE IN THE VERGE OF
EXTINCTION: An account of the sequence of events and settlement by amaMFengu (Fingo), in
Willowvale District (Eastern Cape), since 1878. The present study is essential to historians,
4

amaMfengu and the people of Transkei as well. With the help of this exploration work historians
will have an appropriate re look on the whole concept of Fengu, their actual existence, history
through the direct reference to the other Transkei and Tribes. The another potential significane of
this study is to analysing their status in the realm of tribal existence as a people. The particular
area of study helps the researcher in analysing the important aspect of the sequence of events and
settlement by amaMFengu (Fingo), in Willowvale District (Eastern Cape), since 1878. with are
essential for their career growth and development (Boon, 2018). The current research helps the
researcher in developing their skills which create value in attempting their future projects in
effective manner. The current area of study also helps the
Viability of the Research
It is important for an investigator to create the valid and reliable outcome through
conduct of research work in appropriate direction. Henceforth, validity and reliability are
considered to be the two essential element for the assessment of a research. In order to satisfy
criterion of validity, the investigator requires to extract data from authentic sources. The
exploration work is said to be valid in nature when reliable and valid outcomes are drawn for the
purpose of completion of the research work in proper manner. On other side, investigator is said
to be reliable in nature when similar outcomes are derived under different circumstances. The
major consideration of an investigator is to providing valid and accurate result in respect to
addressing the investigation issue in viable manner. The existing investigation report is based on
the analysis of a historical study which is to describe the existence of AbaMbo / Fingo in
Willowvale and Idutywa". In this research work researcher requires to gather information from
relevant sources as to accumulation of reliable and accurate data for reaching at the potential
outcome. In present case, the researcher has ensured that the information is extracted from
authentic sources (Jerro, 2016). Moreover, the suitable methods are used for the purpose of
conducting research work in viable direction. Henceforth, it can be claimed that the researcher
has ensured that the research work satisfies criteria of validity and reliability. It can be therefore
said that the study proposed herewith proves to be valid and reliable in nature.
5

Literature Review
This is second and most essential part of investigation work which helps the investigator
in administration of an in-depth research as to gathering more relevant and appropriate
information for the end goal to reaching at the potential outcome. In this section of the
investigation project published and past research projects plays vast role in gathering relevant
and appropriate data and information for exploring the final outcome in viable manner. In this
part of literature, secondary sources, plays vast role in accumulation of significant information
and in this the past research also helps in conducting the analysis from all the efficient aspects. In
this part of research data has been gathered through analysing the opinion of various authors and
writers who are having significant knowledge and idea about the similar area of study (Cele,
2016). This consist to be a vast area of study which provides a clear direction to the learners who
are taking effective participation in the area of historical analysis on the existence of AbaMbo /
Fingo in Willowvale and Idutywa". This section is based on theoretical frame work as in this the
objectives of research are analysed in theoretical aspects. In this data and information are
gathered through secondary source as information is gathered through published research, books
and journals. Present project is based on the institutional support system for health and social
care professionals.
The concept of Fingo/abaMbo
Fingo/abaMbo is considered as a member of a Xhosa speaking people who are settled in
Southern Africa in the Ciskei and Transkei thus these are originally refugees from the Zulu wars
of conquest. Mfengu is also called as Fingo, individual who are living in Eastern Cape province
of South Africa and traditionally speaking a Xhosa language (Vaihinger, 2014). The Mfengu are
descendants of refugees through the Mfecane in Natal, largely of Hlubi, Bhele, and Zizi origin,
who create their path to the eastern Cape, where they were ministration through local chiefs. In
the wars of 1835, 1846, and 1851–53, the Mfengu fought on the British side and were
acknowledged lands in the frontier districts of the Transkei and Ciskei, at Xhosa-expense and in
respect to act as a buffer against further Xhosa invasions of the colony (Hammersley, 2018).
Through their social business concern shattered at the time of Mfecane, the Mfengu were
receptive from an early date to Christianity and Western education, and in the 19th century
numerous became wealthy peasant-farmers, providing some of the first Western-type political
leaders among Cape Africans. Few of Mfengu still follow traditional path of life, through the
6

men herding cattle and the females raising crops. Moreover, other Mfengu, are considered as a
part of modern economy and works as an entrepreneur, businessmen, civil servants, teachers and
lawyers in the large cities.
The path of general migration
As per the views expressed by Adepoju and Aderanti, 2018, Human migration is
considered as the movement of people from one place to another through the intention of
settling, temporarily and permanently in a new geographical area. The movement is often over
long distance and from one country to another, thus an internal migration is also possible,
however this is the dominant form globally (Polachek & Horvath, 2012). The migration aspect in
South Africa can be better recognised within the context of political and historical evolution of
African societies. Africans compose around 79.6% as per the estimation of the south African
statistics of the population and represent various ethnic groups, involing, Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele,
Tsonga, Venda, Pedi, Sotho, Tswana and Swazi, as well as recent immigrants from other parts of
Africa (particularly Zimbabwe and Nigeria). The palaeontological and archaeological concept of
the origin of man from the area of Central Africa including Ethiopia or Kenya declare that the
existence of human in the continents of the globe is considered as a result of general massive
migration. The six continent of the globe i.e. Europe, Africa, Australia, North America, South
America are occupied by the different sort of human species, from migration. all kind of tribes,
especially humanity as a whole migrated, at some point in time, thus in various sort of
generations are experiencing different changes in socio political, economic and cultural aspects.
The present South African tribes like as Xhosa, Thembu, Mpondo, Bomvane, mpondomise,
Baca, and Mfengu have basically settled at different geographically areas of post migration. It
was migration which was at various times (Keller & et. al., 2012). It is essential to analyse the
consequences of wars, and constitution of chiefdoms in that process as to appropriate
implementation of human activities.
The Fingo clans
Mfengu is an alternative name of Fingo people, who are living in Eastern Cape province
of South Africa and basically use one of the Bantu languages specially Xhosa for their speaking
purpose. The aspects of Mfengu or Finfo is considered to be a generic name for various distinct
groupings of associated clans which are fled from Zululand at the ruling time of King Shaka and
settled in the geographical area of Eastern Cape. People from this groups are majorly found in
7

the different geographical area of Transkei and Ciskei. In terms of characteristics people fallen in
this group always equally in nature. Zululand fills very fast and after appropriately feeling the
major geographical area of this particular city, number of Mfengu found work opportunity in
Hintsa's but they were not recognised as equal of the Xhosa. The term amaFengu is translates as
the aspect of Wanderers and the Fengu people such as the Bhaca, Bhele, Hlubi and Dlamini
individuals who were settled through the tribe which were distinct and dispersed by Shaka and
his Zulu armied in the wars of Mfecane (Labuschagne, 2016). Most of people from this groups
are fled westwards and settled in between of Xhosa, thus after the effective oppression of
Gcaleka Xhosa in the year of 1820, s. The potential purpose of the oppression is to form an
active alliance with the government of Cape in the year of 1835 with the proper guidance of
various scholars and leaders. For the appropriateness of alliance Sir Benjamin d'Urban invitied
around 17000 to settle on the banks of the Great fish river in the region which later become
known as the Ciskei. Some of the scholars, involving Timothy Stapleton and Alan Webster, said
that the traditional narrative of the Fengu people as refugees of the Mfecane is in fact a lie
conception by colonial instructor and administrators (Kingwill, 2011). They raised question on
the existence of the Fengu people as a distinct group which is prior to colonial contact, instead
positing that the term was given, by the British, to an accumulation of Xhosa offender, migrant
labourers, and labour captives.
The events and settlements - 1818, 1835, 1865
The Fingo is one of the generic name for various distinct grouping of associated clans
that fled from Zululand at the time of King Shaka (1818-1828). Most number of researcher has
conviction regarding the initiated sequences of events in almost 10 years from 1820 that are very
turbulent. It has been seen that there are lot of tribes especially during the early time of Tshaka
region. At the time of arrival, they tend to receive by Hintsa that was the basic paramount chief
of Xhosa in the East side of the Kei river. It has been found that the group which was dominated
by Hlubi, Zizi and other Bhele tribes used to meet Hintsa. The main reason behind the
separation is because they had been exposed to a loss of battles on the way. It has been seen that
Hintsa has arrived in his place from the war of Amalindd in 1818 (Blackbeard, 2018). It has been
told by other people that there are strangers who had determine they look hungry with not
wearing clothes on their body. It was the Hintsa that had accepted them and provided land to
settler in Butterworth district.
8

1835: On the 14 may 1835, the Mfengu collected under an old milk wood tree in Peddie
district. The Mfengu used to fought along with the colonial forces in all kind of Frontier wars
that are followed not as subordinates but as allies in the cause of Christian civilization. It has
been found that Mfengu has become one of the first Bantu in South Africa to cause ploughs that
demonstrated to them through the use of missionaries and their initial to plant wheat. They
consequently become one of the prominent allies of the cape colony in the frontier wars in
against their previous oppressors (Jaffe, 2017). Through Shrewd and growth management of
regional trade that formed as a developed and materially reliable within the nation.
1865: The Mfengu has not been taken into account that great cattle-king in 1857 that
devastated the Xhosa people. During the period of time, Cattle at very minimum cost resell them
at a profit to the subsequent famine. They usually recorded as producing wide excesses of grains
at this point of time in starving neighbors’. They are subsequently become one of the crucial
factors that are allies of the cape colony in the frontier wars against their former oppressors. In
addition to this, plenty of the people had bought farms and started their business operations in the
small areas, towns and location that were springing up in that particular part of the cape frontier.
The migration to Willowvale
Migration flows and policies are inversely connected with: migration flows which creates
the requirement for policies to maintain them, and policies, in return, shape ongoing and future
migration flows. The researcher has collected data to build upon the Mayers' efficiently, that are
cited but as yet unpublished work on youth organisation in the Transkei. The collected data
represents that the changes in rural youth firm from the very beginning of 1920's which could
increasingly be attributed to urban determinant and that by the 1960's they owned as much to
urban impact as they did to rural ones (Wogqoyi, 2012). As per the views of Sarah Meny-Gibert
and Sintha Chiumia, 2016, The concept of migration is majorly focuses on the international
migration but the huge majority of migration which emerges in South Africa basically happens
within its geographical boundaries. The major domestic migration in South Africa involves
circular migration like as migrant workers or employees who works in maintains their residence
in one part of the country and work on the other area of the country or the significant migration
happens among the urban areas of the country. Willowvale is a Town which is stated in
Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern cape province of South Africa. Thus migration is
considered as a process in which people in which people move from one place to another with
9