Lubimbi
Lubimbi people are scattered all over Africa, mostly found in Southern Africa. Notable countries being South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique,Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo,Tanzania and Uganda.
History
Lubimbi people are a clan based on their male common ancestry Mhlabawadabuka son of Gasa and Manukuza's younger brother. Originally they belong to the Nguni clan, which is one of the original clans in Central Africa. Population growth and land pressure led to population Migration and social conflicts which led to formation of smaller clans. Lubimbi clan was founded by Mhlabawadabuka, who tried to achieve independence by creating his own tribe. Trouble arose between him and his elder brother Manukuza and the later was driven away[1] He then joined Zwangendaba with his followers and they moved to the North and later settled in the Zambezi valley where they split in 1834. Mhlabawadabuka remained in the lower Zambezi area, present day Lubimbi area in Binga (Matebeleland North) with his headquarters near the Lubimbi hot springs. Zwangendaba crossed Zambezi river in 1835 with some of Mhlabawadabuka's children, thus how the Lubimbi clan division and journey across Africa started. Some migrated to present day Uganda with some settling in Kenya, Tanzania and democratic Republic of Congo. Mhlabawadabuka's father Gasa the son of Langa, son of Xaba (King and founder of the Ndwandwe tribe) occupied Mkhuze region with his brother Zwide settled in Magudu Transvaal Province. They were mainly based in present-day Pongola (Mhlabuyalingana area) near Lebombo Mountains towards Swaziland (KwaZulu Natal) South Africa. They were depleted due to family misunderstandings and uprisings.
Economy
Lubimbi traditional economy is based on mixed agriculture, with maize being the staple food. They were good axe makers and fishermen who also made canoes. Again they were great navigators on both land and lakes.
Culture
Lubimbi people have strong acknowledgement of their ancestors, who are believed to have been strong traditional healers. Queen Ntombazi, Langa kaXaba's wife and Gasa's mother was a witch doctor.
List of Mhlabawadabuka's ancestors
- Nxala
- Mthethwa (The founder of the Mthethwa clan) {Mpanza and Masondo were his younger brothers}
- Nyambose
- Khubazi
- Ndlovu
- Simamane (Wengwe)
- Madungu [B1625-D1753]
- Xaba [B1650-1771] (The founder of the Ndwandwe clan, he was also known as Ndwandwe)
- Langa (Mkhatshwa/Zimangele)
- Gasa (Zikode/Ndindane)
- Mhlabawadabuka