Bhaca people

The Bhaca people or amaBhaca are an ethnic group in South Africa, mainly found in the small towns of the former Transkei homeland, Mount Frere, Umzimkhulu and surrounding areas - a region that the amaBhaca call kwaBhaca, or "place of the Bhaca".

History

"AmaBhaca" allegedly originates from the Nguni word ukubhaca, meaning to flee. This claim is supported by the popular belief that the amaBhaca was adopted during their flight during the Mfecane. During the Mfecane the amaBhaca, led by King Madzikane, settled an area bordering the present day Eastern Cape and the KwaZulu-Natal regions. Among the amaBhaca, the word ukubhaca also refers to the ritual scarring of the face known as ukuchaza, a complex rite that is sometimes performed for healing purposes.

The amaBhaca speak isiBhaca, which is closely related to Swati. IsiBhaca is influenced by the Xhosa and Zulu languages. The language of isiSwati may have been influenced by the fact that King Madzikane’s mother was from one of the Royal Houses of the Swatis of aMalambo.