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Maqoma Clan — History & Meaning
Xhosa clan · isiXhosa
History & origin
Maqoma (1798-1873) was a son of Ngqika and head of the Right-Hand House of the Rharhabe Xhosa. After Ngqika's death his half-brother Sandile was named heir; as Sandile was a minor, Maqoma acted as one of the regents and became the most influential. He is best remembered as a leading Xhosa military commander in the Cape frontier wars, especially the War of the Axe and the War of Mlanjeni, where his guerrilla tactics in the Amatola mountains were highly effective against colonial forces. He was twice imprisoned on Robben Island by the colonial authorities and died there in 1873; his remains were later reburied in the Eastern Cape.
Notable figures & facts
Chief Maqoma, one of the foremost Xhosa military leaders of the frontier wars; died a prisoner on Robben Island.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Rharhabe, Ndlambe, Sandile.
We publish the full iziduko (clan praises) only once we can verify them against documented tradition — for this clan they are still being confirmed. If you can share an authoritative version, corrections are warmly welcomed.