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Ngwenya Clan — History & Meaning
Swati clan · siSwati
History & origin
Ngwenya is one of the bemdzabuko ('true Swazi') founding clans of Nguni origin. The name means 'crocodile' in the Nguni languages. Traditional accounts hold that the Ngwenya settled as an independent group and were incorporated into the Swazi nation under the Dlamini kings. The crocodile clan name is also found among other Nguni peoples, and the surname is widely distributed across Eswatini and neighbouring South Africa.
Notable figures & facts
One of the founding bemdzabuko clans; the clan name ('crocodile') is among the well-known totemic Nguni names.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Dlamini.
We publish the full tibongo (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.