Clan Names / Izithakazelo / Iziduko zakwaMbotho

Mbotho Family Gathering - Zimbane

A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clan members may be organized around a founding member or apical ancestor. Clans can be most easily described as tribes or sub-groups of tribes. The word clan is derived from 'clann' meaning 'family' in the Irish and Scottish Gaelic languages. Clans preceded more centralized forms of community organization and government; they are located in every country. Members may identify with a coat of arms or other symbol to show they are an independent clan.

In different cultures and situations, a clan may mean the same thing as other kin-based groups, such as tribes and bands. Often, the distinguishing factor is that a clan is a smaller part of a larger society such as a tribe, a chiefdom, or a state.Clans in indigenous societies are likely to be exogamous, meaning that their members cannot marry one another. In some societies, clans may have an official leader such as a chieftain or patriarch; in others, leadership positions may have to be achieved, or people may say that 'elders' make decisions.

Mbothos as a clan practise Zulu and Xhosa cultures and our clan names reflect this. Below is a list of the clan names found in both cultures. The similarities within the clan names do confirm that we are one family. The list is not exhaustive and is a live list. We do encourage people to come forward with any other clan names that have been left behind, so that we can include them in the list and update it as we move along.

Mbotho, Mazama, Mtshikilana, Myalo, Fulela mfaz' olivila kuyanetha, Sibasa manzini kuvuth' umlilo, Nyawo zibomvu nokuba zinentsente, Ntsindane, Malala nentombi ivuke ithi ndizeke, Sibasa Manzini kuvith’umlilo, Thoyane.

Mbotho, Ncamane, Toyane, Yalo, Mtshikilani, Amahlamvu Ayahluma Kusehlotyeni, Umalandelwa yintombi iti ndizeke, Umabona nkomo, Umabasa emanzini kuqhuma umlilo