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?
Excerpted from
Swazi
Observer
