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Ramaru Clan — History & Meaning
Venda clan · Tshivenda
Totem As a branch of the Singo royal line, the Singo are associated with the ndou (elephant) — 'Thoho-ya-Ndou' meaning 'Head of the Elephant'. A distinct Ramaru totem is not separately documented, so only the Singo association is noted.
History & origin
Ramaru derives from a son of King Ramabulana of the Singo royal house of the Vhavenda. Ramaru was settled at Shehe (in the area of present-day Mpheni/Elim), and the place became known as Ha-Ramaru ('the land of Ramaru'). In the late 1960s the apartheid government forcibly removed the Ramaru/Shehe community, resettling them and establishing a new village also called Ha-Ramaru (near Ha-Mulima). The lineage is part of the broader Ramabulana royal family of the Nzhelele/Soutpansberg region, the same dynasty that produced King Makhado and the Mphephu kings.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Ramabulana, Ha-Ramaru.
We publish the full clan names (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.