The reign of Hompa Nyangana over the Vagciriku, relations with neighbouring kingdoms, politics and challenges to his leadership

Abstract

Abstract taken from summary

This study investigates some aspects of Vagciriku history, focusing more on the events that took place during the reign of Hompa Nyangana. There are three main issues dealt within the study; Firstly, by presenting the various theories of clan elders, the thesis seeks to explain the ethnogenesis of the Vagciriku community. Looking at early migration history of the Vagciriku from the perpectives of the various clans, the thesis aims to explain how the Vagciriku had come to perceive themselves as one community. Thus, chapter two mainly deals with the complex question about the origins of the Vagciriku. It is shown in the chapter that the Vagciriku is a community composed of the various matrilineal clans, whose history is narrated by its elders. Hence, one can see in chapter two that instead of presenting Mashi as the only place of origin for the entire Vagciriku community, places such as Kaghonda and Tupundu are also mentioned as other places where the Vagciriku has originated

Secondly, the thesis explores the political consolidation of the Vagciriku community under the leadership of Hompa Nyangana. Thus, in chapters three and four, the thesis explores issues such as the ascendancy of Hompa Nyangana to the Vagciriku throne and how he consolidated his powers to eventually become an autocratic and undisputed Vagciriku leader. In chapter four, the relations of the Vagciriku kingdom to their neighbours during the reign of Hompa Nyangana is explored. Relying on oral and some written sources, the chapter attempts to show the role played by Hompa Nyangana in contributing to conflicts or in attempts to resolve them

Thirdly, chapter five and six looks at the transformation of the Vagciriku polity during the early informal and formal colonial period. This chapter seeks to show how the European hunters and traders intruded into the Vagciriku kingdom and how their activities infringed on Hompa Nyangana's powers. The same chapter shows how the Vagciriku community responded to some activities of European hunters and traders in the kingdom. Thus, the chapter explores some incidents involving violent encounters between the Vagciriku and the European hunters/traders on orders of Hompa Nyangana and the effects of these violent encounters on the Vagciriku community. Finally, the sixth chapter deals with the arrival of missionaries. It focused on how Hompa Nyangana through his literate son, Klemens Mbambo, strategically invited the missionaries in his kingdom to avoid foreign encroachments, attacks and ostracism from the Portuguese and some neighbouring kingdoms, including the BaTawana who treated him as a vassal. Furthermore, the chapter touches on the mysterious deaths of Klemens Mbambo in 1912 and heir-apparent to the Vagciriku throne, Tjimi in 1919. The chapter concludes by briefly showing how Hompa Nyangana's legacy manifests itself in the politics of the Vagciriku Royal Cemetery.