A Journey into BaKalanga Culture!

The BaKalanga or TjiKalanga speaking people are predominantly found in areas of South-Western Zimbabwe, northern and north-western Botswana. In Zimbabwe, the BaKalanga have been around the areas of Bulilima-Mangwe, Tsholotsho, and Matobo Districts for over a thousand years. In this documentary, we get to learn about the history, food, rain-making functions, and important cultural lessons about the BaKalanga. Interesting to note is the role played by their last king, Tjibundule in encountering soldiers from the Mutapa State, the importance of rain-making ceremonies and shrines such as Manyangwa, Njelele, Zhilo to name but a few. For the BaKalanga, rain-making ceremonies have been part of their culture since time immemorial and this ritual is performed just before the start of the rainy season. The Wosana plays an important role in asking for rain.

Within the food dimension, we get to learn the importance of Nzembwe (pearl millet) within their culture, the modalities involved in preparing nyembe (leaves of black-eyed beans), and the diverse fruit collection involving matamba, matogwe and n’hehe. On the breakfast side, we get to learn how the juice of mpale (dried melon) was utilized as a form of tea, which was consumed with Tjimoni (a mixture of beans, groundnuts and peanuts) or Samoni. Our guests also share their personal experiences growing up and how herding cattle was an important life lesson, both for girls and boys. Cattle wasn’t just seen as livestock but an important platform for learning several life lessons like; patience, time management and discipline.

~ Let's Connect and get to know each other:

~ About Magriza Made Me Cook:
» Magriza is slang for uGogo (Grandmother in isiNdebele) and the name of the show is derived from Prince's inspiration for falling in love with cooking; his grandmother. The goal of MMMC is to document and serve Africa's diverse food culture, one dish at a time. We believe that Africa has got unique meals that ought to be talked about, and most importantly, cooked consistently. We believe in the values of Ubuntu, Respect, Creativity and Minimalism.

[SisaTaliwe]

I'm a Kalanga living in Soweto. On the paternal side, grandfather is Kalanga from a village called Hanlapkhane in Botswana, he married my xhosa grandmother from Queenstown in the Eastern Cape. On the maternal side, grandfather keMopedi from Gaphasha and he married my grandmother from Tshikwarane in Venda. I really find myself privileged to be from these four nations. Watching this video brough back a lot of childhood memories and the food shown here my dad would bring home for us from his trips to Botswana. Till this day I cannot speak the language as it was not spoken much around us, however I do understand... This just reminded me of my Xhosa grandmother who mastered the Kalanga language and I feel like today I will sleep well as there was a connection with my indigenous language and seeing that food. If you can do more videos of the Kalanga origins and the Mapungubwe Kindom. Also you are right in saying the language is similar to Tshivenda and Sepedi. I've heard some of my Venda relatives refer to BaKalanga as boMalume and also been told that they originate from the Kalanga people. Please also look into that part of the history. Sibongile Dube

[MbakoZaba]

Im a Kalanga from Botswana🇧🇼, i love this and everything seems very similar to my culture here in BW...im blown away by this❤

[sonton]

The only tribe in Zimbabwe that doesn’t depend on the Zimbabwean government much. Our grandfathers and fathers have always worked in SA and Botswana

[UyapoKnight]

Kalanga and its culture is very much alive in Botswana, the language is back in the curriculum and the annual festivals are growing by the year!!!!

[mashkurnyandoro]

Forget the mashonaland, Matabeleland etc. This vlog has taught me that we are one.
This crushes tribalism.

[TshepangNondula]

Vhakalanga are ancestors of South Africa's Vhavenda, Vatsonga and Balobedu...Its like I am listening to a person speaking Xitsonga, Selobedu and Tshivenda at the same. This is amazing

[TshepangNondula]

I am a muvenda and I am so happy to learn of a culture that gave birth to my Tshivenda culture

[bigshow]

Thanks for sharing the rich history of Bakalanga. I am from Botswana and most of our Kalanga folks would like to connect with the deep roots of their Kalanga origins. Thank you for the upload.

[HikwaMehluli]

This is beautiful. My family was honoured when the Zimbabwe government reinstated the "Chieftainship of Hikwa" in 2014. I am proud of my family, our people. Taboka for this video

[phumlanianton]

My surname is Nkalanga I’m from South Africa🇿🇦 (Mpumalanga), I was raised by my mother’s side after my parents separated (Swati speaking) I grew up believing I’m Swati as there are also Nkalanga people speaking fluent Swati and Zulu. A few years back I reconnected with my father and it is today that I learned I’m not Swati I am a KHALANGA❤️!

I’m willing to learn more about my culture, language and practices. If you’re reading this comment with the knowledge and history I’m keen to know about, please school me!

[putusolomonbaloyi]

Hi brother, My name is Solomon Baloyi, I'm from limpopo and my home language is Xitsonga. The Valoyi surname is associated with vakalanga and would like to learn more about this nation. I'm told my forefathers are vakalanga.Thanks for your efforts in educating me.

[Malegx]

This should be part of our educational system. I thought I knew Zimbabwe history but I don’t 🤣🤣know anything. Thank you for the education bro

[MrZim]

Kalanga is interesting, It's a quite a cocktail of languages

[BukalangaTv]

Thank you nzekulu, great initiative to boka your input to preserve bukalanga gwedu. Keep up the good work

[mpaphimooketsisebapalo]

This is very beautiful, imi ndi Nkalanga from Botswana..everything here is just as it is mu Botswana, even the tradition of the newly-wed bride fetching a pile of firewood..
However there’s a tiny correction to make, we are found in Central, Northern & North-East Botswana..the NorthWest is where you can find BaNambya and other groups.

[loveness]

These ppl are kinsmen on martenal side Balilima. Very proud. Excellent cooking skills of traditional food from this tribe. Grew up eating this food, love it!!

[shamisomakuvaro]

The first time l heard the word Matunde l went l thought the person didnt know what he was saying... But now l know the Kalanga language l am not surprised anymore...Thank you so much Magriza for sharing...🇿🇼🇿🇼🇿🇼

[gertrudes]

Thank you again . I'm Nkalanga from Botswana, and thanx for showcasing the various cultures xx

[mr.mhabvane]

Kalanga is a nation comprised of many clans and tribes

[gamukanjoma]

Love this.i get to know that history didn't start at munhumutapa. No wonder why in schools they don't teach real things government is scared of their secretive genocide and now we don't even know a thing about each other's languages, culture and history thank you Prince once again with great content viva🇿🇼