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Mlawu Clan — History & Meaning
Xhosa clan · isiXhosa
History & origin
Mlawu is the name of the Great House heir of Rharhabe, the son of King Phalo who established the Rharhabe (western) royal house of the amaXhosa. According to documented genealogies of the House of Phalo, Mlawu kaRharhabe was the great son of Rharhabe's Great House. He predeceased his father, dying around 1782 (sources record that he fell ill and died around the time of his marriage to his great wife), leaving two young sons, Ngqika and Ntimbo. Because Mlawu's heirs were still infants, Rharhabe installed Mlawu's brother Ndlambe as regent; after Rharhabe's death Ngqika eventually succeeded as chief of the Rharhabe. The Rharhabe house was based in the Ciskei region between the Keiskamma/Fish and Kei rivers in the present-day Eastern Cape. The name Mlawu appears in the recognized succession line of this royal house.
Notable figures & facts
Mlawu kaRharhabe (d. c. 1782), Great House heir of Rharhabe and father of Ngqika kaMlawu, who became chief of the Rharhabe. His brother Ndlambe served as regent.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Rharhabe, Ngqika, Ndlambe, Phalo.
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.