The Kaffirs are divisible into two great branches: the Ama-Zulu with the
Ama-Swazi and Ama-Tonga and the Kaffirs proper, represented by the
Ama-Xosa, the Tembu (q.v.) and the Pondo (q.v.). Hence the compound term
Zulu-Kaffir applied in a collective sense to all the Kaffir peoples.
Intermediate between these two branches were several broken tribes now
collectively known as Ama-Fengu, i.e. "wanderers" or "needy" people,
from _fenguza_, to seek service[1] (see FINGO).
The ramifications of the Kaffirs proper cannot be understood without
reference to the national genealogies, most of the tribal names, as
already stated, being those of real or reputed founders of dynasties.
Thus the term Ama-Xosa means simply the "people of Xosa," a somewhat
mythical chief supposed to have flourished about the year 1530. Ninth
in descent from his son Toguh was Palo, who died about 1780, leaving
two sons, Gcaleka and Rarabe (pronounced Kha-Kha-be), from whom came
the Ama-Gcaleka, Ama-Dhlambe (T'slambies) and the Ama-Ngquika (Gaika
or Sandili's people). The Pondo do not descend from Xosa, but probably
from an elder brother, while the Tembu, though apparently representing
a younger branch, are regarded by all the Kaffir tribes as the royal
race. Hence the Gcaleka chief, who is the head of all the Ama-Xosa
tribes, always takes his first or "great wife" from the Tembu royal
family, and her issue alone have any claim to the succession. The
subjoined genealogical tree will place Kaffir relations in a clearer
light:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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