The Shangaan people call themselves the Vachangana. These peoples have rich and interesting cultural heritage which came from the time when King Shaka of the Zulus sent a warrior who never came back.

King Shaka of the Zulus sent one of his warriors, Soshangana (Manukosi) to conquer the Tsonga people in the area of present-day Mozambique. Instead, Soshangana found a fertile place inhabited by scattered communities of peace-loving people, and decided to make it his home. He never went back to his people.

Soshangana gave his name to the Shangaan people. He started teaching them the Zulu ways of fighting and made them wear skins and ostrich feathers on their heads. He did not change their way of architecture - the round huts with their patterned thatch roofs, because these were beautiful.

Life however was not all peaceful for the new nation as Shaka was angry and he sent troops to attack Soshangana, but they too did not return.
Internal quarrels led to Shangaan people dispersing and some of the groups went as far north as the Congo.

Portugal claimed Mozambique as its colony in 1752 but allowed the local kings/rulers to continue ruling their respective peoples, but under the over-arching authority of Portugal. In 1858, Soshangana fought the Portuguese and died.

However, his new nation lived on.

Today, the Shangaans live in areas mainly between the Kruger National Park and the Drakensberg Mountains, in South Africa's Mpumalanga and Northern Province. Their sister tribe, the Tsongas, inhabit most of southern Mozambique.

The cultural heritage of these peoples is celebrated at the Shangana Cultural Village.

The traditional village lies midway between the Blyde River Canyon and the southern Kruger National Park. Here visitors can share the way of life of the Shangaan people. The picturesque village is set in the shade of ancient trees in a reserve of forest and grassland, and is open every day.

A bustling African market village forms the centre of Shangana, where local craftspeople make and trade their craft. From here, trained guides lead guests down to villages on daytime tours, midday tours with lunch, and the famed Evening Festival in the Chief's Kraal.

Shangana lies about 5km from the small town of Hazyview in Mpumalanga. From the centre of Hazyview, head north past Hippo Hollow, over the Sabie River. Then turn left onto the R535 towards Graskop. It's 4km from here on the right hand side, clearly signposted.

Shangana has been created and built by local Shangaan people, and forms a place of great pride and a way of preserving a rich heritage for tourists, and an example of South Africa's great cultural diversity.

Contact
Tel: (013) 737-7000 / (013) 737-6970.