Fingo (Mfengu)

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Fingo (Ama-Fengu, wanderers), a Bantu Negro people, allied to the Zulu family, who have given their name to the district of Fingoland, the South West portion of the Transkei division of the Cape Province. The Fingo tribes were formed from the nations broken up by Shaka and the Zulu; after some years of oppression by the Xhosa, they appealed to the Cape government in 1835 and were permitted by Sir Benjamin d'Urban to settle on the banks of the Great Fish River. They had been always loyal to the British, and have steadily advanced in social respects. They have largely adapted themselves to western culture, wearing European clothes, supporting their schools by voluntary contributions, editing newspapers, translating English poetry and setting their national songs to European music. The majority call themselves Christians and many of them have intermarried with Europeans.