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Rharhabe Clan — History & Meaning
Xhosa clan · isiXhosa
History & origin
Rharhabe was a son of King Phalo and head of the Right-Hand House, and the founder of the amaRharhabe. After the division of the Xhosa nation he led his followers across the Kei River to settle in the area between the Kei and the Fish, establishing the western Xhosa polity. The Rharhabe house bore the brunt of frontier contact and conflict with the expanding Cape Colony. His heir of the Great House was Mlawu, who predeceased him; on the deaths of Rharhabe and Mlawu around 1782, Rharhabe's grandson Ngqika became chief, with Rharhabe's son Ndlambe acting as regent.
Notable figures & facts
Rharhabe, founder of the western (amaRharhabe) Xhosa; ancestor of Ndlambe, Ngqika, Maqoma and Sandile.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Phalo, Gcaleka, Ndlambe, Maqoma.
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.