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The Shangaan Cultural Village







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
.





Comments

This is really fascinating! It would be nice to learn more about where we come from and how all these tribes came to be, instead of continuously chastising people for not being Shangaan enough! I've never really cared much about being Shangaan, I hardly speak the language so it is hard to identify myself in that manner. Such facts make me more curious about my people's history! I pray your Village prosper!

Posted by: Mahlatse Nkuna

I want to know more about Shangaan tradition of the men.

Posted by: gus

Many sources says that Shaka Zulu sent Soshangane to conquer the Tsonga, but one source that make sense is 'Tsonga History Discourse' that says that Soshangane was actually defeated by Shaka and then fled with his followers to Mpumalanga and then Mozambique, where he founded Tsonga people - not Shangaane people inhabiting that area of Maputo.

Its been said that Soshangane was not the first Nguni to live amongst the Tsonga, there were the Nkuna and others who belonged to the Ngome clan in Kwazulu Northern Natal and they spoke Mbayi dialect. Nkunas left Ngome clan probably during the rule of Dingiswayo to settle with the rikhotso in Mozambique. By that time SoShangane invades certain part of Mozambique the Nkuna others had already stayed there for a long time to allow their Nguni dialect to be swollen by the TsongA dialect.

Peace, each one teach one, lets spread the true knowledge. I would like to thank the brothers who did the research for 'Tsonga History Discourse' for illuminating us with true Tsonga history than the one which says Tsonga people are Shangane people founded by soShangane whom was sent by Shaka Zulu as his general.

Posted by: Rhulani Nkuna


Actually Soshangane was not sent by King Shaka, you should remember that Soshangane belonged to the Ndwandwe tribe led by Zwide kaLanga. When King Shaka attacked Ndwandwe, Soshangane escaped to the North...He then started the Shangaan tribe we find today.

Posted by: Lungani

I visited the Shangaan village in Mpumalanga and I was spoiled to death by mother nature. It is the best cultural site I've been to ever. Thanks again, I'll be back with family and cousins next year.

Posted by: Nkuna brain


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