Sobhuza I.

Sobhuza I. (* around 1780 ; † around 1839 ; also Ngwane IV. ) Was from around 1805 until his death high chief (officially: Ngwenyama, German: "lion") of Ngwane, later Swaziland .

Life

The later Sobhuza I was born as the son of Chief Ndvungunye (later Mavuso II, also called Zikhodze ) and his concubine Somnjalose Simelane, who belonged to the ruling Nkhosi-Dlamini clan. His name was Somhlolo (German "the miracle"). To this day, September 6th, Swaziland's independence day, 1968, is celebrated as Somhlolo Day .

His life dates are unclear because they are based on oral tradition. His mother was not the main wife of Lojiba, but Somhlolo became chief chief because Lojiba had no male offspring.

At the beginning of Sobhuza's rule in what was then the Ngwane Empire in the south of today's Swaziland, the powerful Ndwandwe and Zulu people on the southern border had to defend themselves . Under Sobhuza, the headquarters of the chief family were moved north to the area around Lobamba . At the same time he subjugated numerous smaller clans, so that the empire gained importance. Sobhuza I is considered to be the founding father of Swaziland, even if the name Swaziland was first formed by his son and successor Mswati II .

Sobhuza I. avoided armed conflicts with European immigrants in the region. In return, the British guaranteed him the independence of Ngwane.

Sobhuza I. had three wives. Mswati II was the son of Sobhuza's first wife.

Individual evidence

1. ^ Website on the history of Swaziland , accessed July 27, 2012

predecessor	Office	successor
Zikodze	King of Swaziland 1815–1836	Mswati II