Khosa.
Totem: Fire.
Means: People of fire.
Founder: Lipanga la ku xeka.
Known today as: Bakhosa, Cossa, Khoseni, oKhoza etc…
Xitlhokovetselo xa va Khosa:
Ripanga, ro xeka homu na rhole!
Mavona kule, Mahlongola-n’weti, Magelevendze!
Makula-nhloko, Mubarhule, Makula-nkondzo!
Xirima-ribye, Manantswa munyu Emajekejekeni,
Xingwingwa vusiku, Matlakula-Tinungu, Wo nyima hi nkombe!
Mahumula hi ku etlela, Ma ta na hunguva, Mahlota-vusiku!
Marimbela yindlu hi dzovo ra ngwenya!
Khovota vanhu, wa ka ntila a wu landziwi, wu tsandze Vangoni na Vanyombozi!
Muxini!
Mudyi wa swidluwani a tlhe a tola miri, Ndzilo wa ndzhongo!
Mhangani yo bava, Gama ra ntima, Matlhavela ku tshika!
Xivumbela tsukutsa, Xivumbela vurhena, Mutsemi wa swikhono, Nghomu-nghomu!
Nhlanga wa mavele, wa Nkanyi wo sihalala, Dyambu ra mumu, Xihuhuri xa Dzonga!
Explanation of the Clan Praise:
In this praise, the Khoseni people are hailed as the people of the light the shines far (mavonakule, meaning the sun aka mahlongola n’weti) and ruthless warriors (khovota vanhu), feared for striking villages under the cover of night (xingwingwa vusiku). They are portrayed as mighty giants (mubarhule) who command fire (ndzilo wa ndzhongo), symbolizing both war (ntila a wu landziwi) and the art of mining (xirima-ribye). Their homes are said to have doors fashioned from crocodile skin (marimbela). To their enemies, they were known by fearsome names like the black eagles (gama ra ntima), the monsters of the night (nghomu-nghomu), the tornado of the South (xihuhuri xa Dzonga), and the blade that spares no one (va ripanga ro xeka homu na rhole).
“Keep exploring, keep learning, and let the language guide you.“
