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.



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