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Nomkhonwana clan names are Amangqosini, ooGaba!
If you know extra info about the Meaning, Clans or History of this last name, please add it by making a comment below.
Ragwala are vhangona group,are considered the _original inhabitants_ of Venda, and the foundation of Venda identity.
Who are the Vhangona?
*1. The First Settlers*
– Vhangona means “the people of the first time” or “the original ones” in Tshivenda.
– They were already living in the Soutpansberg region of Limpopo before later Bantu migrations arrived from the north. Oral history calls them _Vhongwani wapo_ – “the true owners of the land”.
– Archaeologically, they’re linked to the Mapungubwe and K2 cultures from around 900-1300 CE.
*2. Not a Single Clan*
Vhangona isn’t one clan – it’s an umbrella for the oldest Venda clans. The main ones are:
– *Vhadau* → Surnames: Mudau, Madau
– *Vhafamadi* → Surnames: Fumadi, Famadi
– *Vharundwa* → Surnames: Rundwa, Ragwala,Gwalala Gwala and Masiagwala
– *Vhatwanamba* → Surnames: Tshikosi, Tshimange
– *VhaMbedzi, VhaMatsila, VhaMakhado* and others
These clans share similar customs, totems, and claim descent from the earliest settlers of the Soutpansberg.
*3. Culture & Role*
– *Totems*: Vhangona clans have animal totems like _Phalaphala_ (kudu), _Nngwe_ (leopard), _Ngwenya_ (crocodile). These are used in praise names and marriage rules.
– *Rainmaking & Sacred Sites*: Vhangona are known as the traditional custodians of rainmaking ceremonies and sacred places like Lake Fundudzi and Thathe Vondo Forest.
– *Political Role*: When later groups like the Masingo and others migrated in from Zimbabwe/Zambia around the 15th-17th centuries, they often married into Vhangona lineages and recognized Vhangona as the _landowners_. The Venda kingdom was built on this alliance.
*4. Relationship to Other Venda*
Modern Venda society is a mix:
– *Vhangona*: Original inhabitants
– *Masingo/Takalani/Ungani*: Later arrivals from central/east Africa and Great Zimbabwe area who merged with Vhangona
That’s why Venda history talks about “Vhangona and Masingo” as the two main ancestral streams.
Why it matters
If someone says they’re “Muvhangona”, they’re claiming descent from the oldest Venda lineages. It affects clan status, land claims, and traditional leadership in Venda.
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Vhangona identity is still strong in Venda chieftaincies today. They have their place called tshifulanani and mashubini aha Ragwala located in matshavhawe.
Seema is a family name derived from Ga -Matlala-a-Thaba near Pietersburg in Limpopo.. These offshoots from Matlala’s family expanded to cover many areas and clans in Limpopo, Mpumalanga (where I stay), Northwest and Gauteng . There are other Seema ,especially those in Freestate who share with us but under different origin and nationality. They are Sotho people, we are Va-Karanga .
The Surname Seema is not just a name ,its a brand and royalty. The Matlala family rule ko Ga -Matlala-aThaba. Then other brothers accidentally came with the name Seema. Late at night when they came from thiet daily odds, the other guy remain behind helping himself, from there he ask his brother where he is, then the brother reply ,saying I m standing here infront waiting for you. The root of the name ‘Ema’ meaning standing. Then Seema is someone who is standing , Then it has nothing to do with protection in both Sotho-Tswana and in Karanga language. Their brothers were Dikgale Tisane Railwe Mampaneand other Matlala guys who uses those names as Surname . Seema means standing.
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