Bhekiswako!
Lowabhekis’ inkhosi elusaseni.
Matalankhosi!
Sukuta!
Luvuno longenamahloni.
Phika sinemandla.
Mlimi wansindze,
Bantfu balim’ emafusi aboGembe.
Mlisane
Mdluli surname
When the Dlamini people left Embo they moved downwards. Along the way they noticed that there was a tribe that was well organised and had a rich chiefly background. They also noticed that they had profound understanding of sacred medicines. It was not easy to incorporate this tribe let alone attack them because they also had strong sanctuaries.
Spies were sent to go and spy on them and before they could even reach their fortress they met a man who looked strange in costume and posture. Some suggested that he should be killed whilst others suggested that they should spare his life. Eventually they agreed to spare his life, so they took him (bendlula naye ngendlela). They then decided to send him with his brothers to go find a place where they could stay.
He went to look for the place, but, together with his brothers, they did not report back. Another group was sent to go and look for the first group. They looked for them until they found them thus they became known as Bhekiswako because they looked for the first group until they found it.
The first group became known as Sikhandzisa because they were found by the second group. The two groups were spared of their lives all because the first man kwendlulwa naye ngendlela they then became known as baka Mdluli.
Here is the science. Mdluli was found along the way and instead of killing him the Dlamini spies could not because he was favoured. Now in the midst of adversity, there is favour that lingers on the life of a Mdluli person. There were lots of enemies that wanted to destroy this chiefdom. Out of God’s favour they survived until the Dlamini came and incorporated them. He was sent to go and spy good land that would settle the large tribe and with few regiments, they tracked dangerous forests and mountains.
They found the land and instead of rushing back to report they decided to stay a little longer until the second group was sent to go find them. The second group did not attack the first group to the delight of their new leader Dlamini.
There is determination and patience in the veins of a Mdluli person. It is determination that made them trail through the thick forests and even though their new master had thought that if stronger tribes dwelled in that place the Mdlulis would be first to be killed.
They also have focus and patience. They trailed through dangerous mountains and arrived in a safe place. They have in them the power and strength to survive any hardship. It is very dangerous for a Mdluli person to be talkative.
They are principled, hard workers, organised and humble. See that in the life of Labotsibeni who in the midst of adversity came out victorious. Labotsibeni from childhood was determined to overcome obstacles.
Unity seems to be another virtue of these people as the second group did not attack the first even though they seemed to have failed to report back on time. Good organisation skills posed by a Mdluli person made the first group settle in a good place and they took their time to settle and prepare for the arrival of the whole big group.
A Mdluli person always avoids short cuts in life. They do not rush things. A true Mdluli girl will strive to make her marriage work. Giving up is not in their DNA. She would strive to make her husband realise that in losing a Mdluli woman, he would have lost a diamond for a stone maybe. A Mdluli man does not lay a hand on a woman.
He strives to provide for his family and be a good father to his children. A Mdluli person is particular with details. For example it was discovered that where the first group stayed were strong hideouts, trees that could be used for sacred medicine. They stayed long there because they were still accessing the place.
Today, Swaziland enjoys cultural festivities such as Incwala which cannot be danced without the presence of the Mdluli people. Mdluli, Matsebula, Mkhatjwa, Mkhonta and Motsa are among the surnames that are respected for the sacred tasks that they do.
Do we still have a pure breed of Mdluli people who shall carefully consider this science that form a true Mdluli breed? Do you know that the combination of a Mdluli man with a girl from either Mabuza, Dlamini, Mhlanga, Ndlela, Motsa, Matsebula, Shabalala, Sihlongonyane leads to the birth of a true Mdluli breed?
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