The Subiya people (also known as the Basubiya, Masubiya, or Vekhuhane) are an ethnic group found along and between the Chobe River and Zambezi Rivers in Southern Africa. They are spread all over these rivers flood plain in what is today Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. Their language is known as Subiya/Kuhane.
A Summary of the History and The Genealogy of the Veekuhane (Basubiya) Royal Dynasty of Itenge from 1440 to 2011
Introduction
The Subiya call themselves Veekuhane and their language is called Chiikuhane(Shamukuni, 1972; Masule, 1982; Ramsay, 2002; Denkler, 2008; Ndana, 2011). Chiikuhane orSubiya language is classified under Zone K.40 of Bantu languages; a language of northern Botswana, Caprivi Strip, Namibia and Western Zambia (Guthrie, 1967–1971).Torrend (1931), Shamukuni (1972), and Colson (1996) classified Chiikuhane language under the Bantu Botatwe group; indicating that the language is related to Western Tonga in Zambia and one of the earliest languages of the Zambezi. Subiya language has a complete grammar book and a textbook containing folklore, superstitions and songs written in French and Subiya in1896 and 1899 respectively, by EdouardJacottet. Subiya language also has a complete grammatical sketch written in English and Subiya in the 1960s by Daniel Matengu Shamukuni. Subiya is the dominant language of south-west Zambezia, along a portion of the Zambezi river south of Barotseland, and in the lands lying between the Chobe-Linyanti river (Bantu Language Classification. Part 3; Arnot, 1882). The Canada Council Special Grant for Linguistics (1968) refers to Subiya as the people found west ofVictoria Falls. Subiya is one of the most ancient of Bantu languages, more so than Tonga (Bantu Language Classification. Part3). The name Veekuhane has two meanings; one being the followers of Chief Ikuhane, son of Iteenge and second known chief of the Subiya (Masule, 1982; Ramsay, Morton &Mgadla, 1996; Ramsay, 2002; Ndana 2011). The other meaning of Veekuhane is that it refers to the people who live along the Ikuhane (Chobe) river (Shamukuni, 1972; Matengu, 1982). From Parakarungu to Ngoma Gate, the river is known as Iteenge (Roodt,2004). Pretorius (1975) claims that the Subiya were originally called Batwa-a collection of small clans who lived under autonomous headmen on the islands of the Kafue flood plains. It is likely that it was while at Kafue flood plains in the early or around 1400s that they started to identify themselves as a tribe, probably under the first chief MuniteengeIteenge (Masule, 1982). Kruger (1984, as cited by Likando (n.d.) and Ndana (2011), claim that the Subiya reached the Upper Zambezi plains around 1440, whereas Masule (1982) suggests that they reached the Zambezi Valley in 1575 and settled at Ilulire near Senanga now in the Western Province of Zambia. According to Pretorius, the Batwa were a collection of groups such as Fwe, Leya and Toka. There are three theories that attempt to explain the origin of the name Subiya. According to Pretorius (1975), the name Subiya was given to Veekuhane in 1700 by the invading Aluyi (Lozi proper) under Chief Mwanambinyi. Subiya is said to be derived from the Aluyi word ‘subalala’ which means to ‘push a kingdom’ because the Veekuhane were active in governing and running the Aluyi (Lozi) kingdom. It was derived from the Aluyi (Lozi) phrase ‘subiya noku subalala umulonga’ meaning ‘the Subiya are trying to push the kingdom’ (Pretorius, 1975). Shamukuni (1972) claims that the name Subiya was derived from ‘Subira’ which referred to their brownish complexion. The name was given to them by neighbouring tribes as a nickname. This version is supported by Flint (2003), who revealed that Lozi men particularly valued Subiya women for their lighter skins and general good looks. Masule (1982) agrees with this version, but claims that the Subiya appeared light in complexion (subira) because they smeared their skins with red-brownish ochre.The third one is that the name "Subia" is from BaTawana who named named them "Sobeya" meaning "left without a leader", "wandering without a leader".The Tawana called them as such when Liswani fled from Sibitwane to Rakops leaving the entire tribe behind (Peopling of Botswana: Author name to be updated). The Subiya lived between the confluence of the Chobe and the Zambezi rivers, along the northern banks of the Zambezi as far north as Nakabuunze (Katima-Mulilo) and called this land Iteenge (Shamukuni, 1972; Pretorius, 1975; Masule, 1982; Tlou and Campbell, 1983; Ramsay, 2002). The Subiya were politically and militarily strong, with a recognized line of chiefs dating back two and a half centuries and is one of the tribes of the Zambezi to have been mentioned by the early explorers and missionaries during the 18th century (Shamukuni, 1972; Pretorius, 1975; Ramsden, 1977; Matengu, 1982; Flint, 2003). Since the advent of colonialism and attainment of independence, the Subiya tribe has been split into three regions; the Subiya of Chikuzu region (Mwandi/Sesheke of Western Province, Zambia); Iteenge-Mukulu (Caprivi Strip, Namibia) and Iteenge-Muniini (Chobe District, Botswana) (Arnot, 1882; Shamukuni, 1972; Matengu, 1982, Ramsay, 2002).
Definition of Terms
Chobe is a Subiya word that appears in Subiya folklore written in 1896 but its meaning has not been provided.
Munitenge is the Subiya word for King/Chief/Kgosi
Moolyi is the Subiya word for Queen
Mukwaye is the Subiya name for a princess
Itenge is the Subiya name for land around the Zambezi-Chobe basin; which includes Chobe District in Botswana, Caprivi Strip in Namibia andSesheke District of Zambia.
Ikuhane is the Subiya name for the Chobe River.
Lyaambayi is the Subiya name for the Zambezi River.
Political Structure
According to Ndana (2011), Like other African groups, Veekuhane have clear political, social and economic structures/organisation. A hierarchical political structure is discernible even today, albeit in a more diluted form due to the influence of modern political organisation. Matengu Masule , an oral historian claims that the Veekuhane ruling “cabinet” had the Muniteenge (king) or simwine (chief) as its political figurehead and supported by three main branches: the Ngambera (the prime minister/advisor) responsible for administration of justice; the Inkazaama(female royalists) responsible for security and the Insuzuzu (the army commander) responsible for defence. Under each of these major branches there fell other key players. Below the army commander was the Namaya (female spy), Shamunziriri (the magician or medicine men) and the Mukuunkula-we-Nkoondo (the army). The advisor was assisted by the Manduna (councillors) and the Ichiimbizo/kapaswa (the chief’s messengers). The female royalists were assisted by the Muauumbe (security ladies) and the Mabukweenda (male strangers).
Subiya Anthem
Ireeza uhaza inkaanda yeetu!
Vusimwiine vweetu katuvuzivalyi.
Mukungane muvoonse,
Invula isoke!
Munumunkaandayeetu,
Yovwi-Kuhane.
Chi-kota cha Kavimba!
m.m.m.m.m.h........
Chi-kotachipalyite!
Keeti nivachiwoolye munumwa Chobe,
Mbwiita Maiba uzuchinaatusiya.
English Version
God bless our land,
Together with our leadership.
Thy be united,
That there would be rain....
In Ikuhane land.
The throne in Kavimba!
m.m.m.m.h........
That throne is solid.
None in Chobe will dislodge it,
Till Maiba departs.
The Subiya Anthem was composed by the celebrated Subiya Historian; the late D.M. Shamukuni circa 1968 and has been edited and translated by Kapule D.Mabuta, 2011.
Subiya Royal Lineage
1. Itenge (1440s/1570s)
He was the first known chief of the tribe. He is believed to have led the migration from the North and settled at Kafue floodplains. The Zambezi –Chobe basin is known as Iteenge in Subiya after him.
2. Ikuhane (1575–1600)
He was the son of Iteenge and the second chief of the tribe. He migrated from the Kafue floodplains and settled along the Zambezi valley in the present day Zambia. He later moved southwards and settled along the Chobe River which is called Ikuhane in Subiya.
3. Lilundu Lituu (1640–1665)
He succeeded his father Chief Ikuhane. He migrated from the Chobe River southwards and settled at Mababe (Mababa) south of Savuti (Sabuta) in present day Botswana.
4. Queen Mwale (1665–1700)
She was the first queen to rule the Subiya tribe. She succeeded her father Lilundu Lituu and settled at Goha Hills north of Savuti in present Botswana and the place came to be known as Ngulwa-Mwale (The hill of Mwale).
5. Cheete (1700s)
He ruled over a section of the Subiya who fled Lozi attacks and lived in Tokaland near Livingstone, Zambia.
6. Saanjo (1700s)
He was also called Singongi. He succeeded Queen Mwale at Goha Hills (Ngulwa-Mwale) in Chobe District, Botswana.
7. Mafwira I (1700s)
He was the eldest son of Chief Saanjo with his wife Chaaze. He led the Subiya migration from Goha Hills back to the Ikuhane (Chobe) River and settled at Kavimba in the present Chobe enclave, Botswana. His rule was unpopular and soon deposed and replaced by his younger brother, Nsundano I.
8. Nsundano I (1700s -1750)
He was also called Lyiverenge (Lipelenge).He migrated northwards from Kavimba and established his headquarters at Luchindo in the present Caprivi Strip, Namibia, opposite Ngoma border post.Today Luchindo is a shrine (Chidino) of all the Basubiya tribe.He is the one who expanded the Itenge Kingdom From Kaunga Marsh to Sioma to Chungwe-Namutitima(Victoria Falls) to Nunga to Ndombo (Sakapani/Sapakane's) to Sabute to Singalamwe and back to Kaunga Marsh (Botswana Notes and Records,Vol.4 1972,p. 162)
9. Liswani I (Also known as Nsundano II)(1830–1845)
He had his headquarters at Isuswa in the modern Caprivi Strip, Namibia. He rescued Sekgoma I, son of Kgari of Bamangwato and Letsholathebe, son of Moremi I of Batawana from Sebitwane at Kazungula.
10. Nkonkwena I (1845–1876)
He established his headquarters at Impalila Island in the modern Caprivi Strip, Namibia.He fled from Barotse to seek refuge in Khamas’s land where he died at Rakops in 1878.
11. Queen Ntolwa (1876–1900)
She was the younger sister of Nkonkwena I and the second queen to rule the Subiya. She built her royal palace at Isuswa in the present day Caprivi Strip, Namibia.
12. Mwanamwale I (1876)
He was the son of Queen Ntolwa with her husband Mbanga. He and a section of Subiya men were following his fleeing uncle Nkonkwena, who was heading for Boteti. They went as far as Sitengu Pan, about twenty-eight miles south of Kasane but failed to catch him up. They then returned to Impalila Island, crossed the Zambezi and established his leadership at Sesheke in Zambia.
13. Mwanamwale II
He succeeded Mwanamwale I, his father at Sesheke, Zambia. His real name was Munikuunku but he was famously known by his nickname Inguu; meaning the shephard.
14. Kabuku (August 1886)
He was installed Subiya chief at Sesheke now in the Western Province of Zambia. In Sesheke the Subiya chief’s title is Mwanamwale as opposed to Muniteenge or Moraliswani used in Caprivi Strip and Chobe District. He probably succeeded Mwanamwale II.
15. Maiba I (1900–1909)
He was the only son of Liwani I. He fled to Boteti under the guidance of his cousin Nkonkwena I. He returned from Boteti in the 1900 and succeeded Queen Ntoolwa at Isuswa as the Subiya Chief in Caprivi Strip, Namibia. By now Subiya chieftainship was divided along colonial lines of Northern Rhodesia, South West Africa Namibia and Bechuanaland Protectorate.
16. Chika Matondo (1909–1927)
He was a regent acting for the young Liswaninyana. Liswaninyana was the eldest son of Chief Maiba I and Chika-Matondo was appointed regent by virtue of marriage to Mulela; who was Liswaninyana maternal aunt.
17. Liswaninyana (1927–1937)
He was the eldest son of Maiba I. He established his royal headquarters at Kasika Village opposite Chiduudu (Sedudu Island) in the modern Caprivi Strip, Namibia. He died shortly after assuming the throne and Chika Matondo continued to act on the throne till 1945.
18. Sinvula Nkonkwena (1928–1968)
He was born in Khama’s land; Tsienyane at Rokops. He was the son of Nkonkwena I. He established his headquarters at Munga Village north-west of Kavimba, Chobe District, Botswana.
19. Sinvula Maiba (1945–1965)
He was the son of Maiba I and also the younger brother of Liswaninyana. His home village was Mahundu in the present day Eastern Caprivi Strip, Namibia. He built his headquarters at Kabbe Village in the present Eastern Caprivi Strip, Namibia.
20. Mutwa Liswani II (1965–1996)
He was the second eldest son of Sinvula Maiba above. His elder brother was Shakufweba. He established his royal headquarters at Vwikalo (Bukalo) in the present day Caprivi Strip, Namibia.
21. Maiba II Sinvula (1968-to date)
He is the son of Sinvula Nkonkwena and also the grandson of Nkonkwena I. He succeeded his aged father and set his headquarters at Kavimba Village, Chobe District, Botswana.
22. Maiba Liswani III (1996 –to date).
He is the youngest son of Sinvula Maiba. He succeeded his elder brother Mutwa Liswani II who died in 1996. He has also maintained the headquarters placed at Bukalo, Caprivi Srtip Namibia by his late brother.
Conclusion
The Basubiya kingdom of Itenge collapsed in 1876 when Nkonkwena feared the Barotse and fled to Khama’s country in Boteti. Followers of Nkonkwena still reside at Rokops, Centarl District of Botswana even to date. The Basubiya dynasty in Sesheke, Mwandi District of Zambia under the Mwanamwales had since crumbled and has come under the rule of the Litunga (King) of Barotseland of Western Province of Zambia. The Subiya dynasties of Chobe District and Caprivi Strip are recognized chiefs on both sides of the Chobe River. It has been suggested from oral traditions that there was a Subiya chief by the name Majira but there is no evidence that suggests the era of his reign. Mafwira II; son of Nkonkwena broke away from his father in Rakops with his followers in 1878 and settled at Tlhale near Gumare in the North-Western Botswana also known as Ngamiland. His followers can still be found today at BoSubiya Ward of Gumare. In August, 1886, Mwanamwale Kabuku was installed as the Subiya chief at Sesheke now Western Province of Zambia. In 1901, Chika II became the Regent of the Subiya of Bechuanaland at Munga; acting for the young Prince Sinvula Nkonkwena.
References
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