Dlamini I

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Dlamini I
Early leader of the House of Dlamini
Reign16th century
SuccessorMswati I
Issue
Dynasty House of Dlamini
FatherChief Langa (according to oral history)
Religion Traditional African religion

Dlamini I (also known as Matalatala) was a 16th century Embo-Nguni prince [1] and early leader of the House of Dlamini. [1] [2] He was the founder of the Embo-Dlamini line. [1]

Dlamini I's people and ancestors historically lived in the region around the Tembe River and were subjects of the powerful Tembe Kingdom [3] , which derived its influence and wealth from coastal trade networks [4] and exercised authority across the Lubombo Mountains and southwards toward the Lusutfu River. [1] [5]

Family and succession

Dlamini I was the father of Mswati I and Prince Mathonga. [1] According to Swazi oral tradition recorded by historians such as J.S.M. Matsebula and A.T. Bryant, Dlamini I was a son of Chief Langa, leader of an Embo-Nguni community that settled within the Tembe territories near Delagoa Bay. [3] Oral accounts state that Langa had two sons, Dlamini I and Hlubi, whose followers later separated and migrated in different directions. [3] Dlamini’s followers moved northward across the Lubombo Mountains and formed early Ngwane communities, while Hlubi’s followers migrated southward along the Pongola River and became the ancestors of the amaHlubi. [3]

Following Dlamini I’s death, leadership passed to Mswati I. [1] Unlike his brother Mathonga, who was described as quiet and politically restrained, Mswati I was warlike and highly mobile. He frequently relocated his bases and conducted raids against neighbouring groups in pursuit of land and cattle. [1]

According to historian J.S.M. Matsebula, cattle captured during Mswati I’s raids were often transferred to his brother Mathonga, reinforcing internal cohesion within the ruling house. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Matsebula, J. S. M (1988). A History of Swaziland. 3rd ed., p. 8.
  2. ↑ Schoeman, Stan (1986): Swaziland: A Modern Monarchy (PDF), Africa Insight, Volume: 16, Issue: 3, pages: 169
  3. 1 2 3 4 Sikhondze, Bonginkosi Bhutana. State Within A State: The History of the Evolution of the Mamba clan of Swaziland Transafrican Journal of History, vol. 15, 1986, pp. 144–63. JSTOR. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.
  4. ↑ Mathebula, Mandla (2017). "Some notes on the early history of the Tembe, 1280 AD–1800 AD". New Contree. 78: 42–59. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
  5. ↑ Bryant, A. T (1929). The Olden Times in Zululand and Natal. p. 316.
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