Umemulo ka AmaBhaca (Patreon)

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 and Umzimkhulu, and surrounding areas (a region that the Bhaca people call kwaBhaca, or “place of the Bhaca”). Their language, isiBhaca, is close to Swati with strong Xhosa and Zulu influences. The origin of their name comes from when they were fleeing King Shaka Zulu during the Mfecane wars of the 1820s. The word ukubhaca in Nguni languages means to flee, and it is argued that their name stems from their flight during the Mfecane from present day KwaZulu-Natal. However, the word ukubhaca among the Bhaca people also refers to the ritual scarring of the face known as ukuchaza, a complex rite that is sometimes done for healing. Thus the Bhaca people could possibly have been named after this practice.

The Bhaca were led by king Madzikane into what is now Eastern Cape. Currently the Bhaca are mistakenly considered to be part of the Xhosa people who dominate the province, but their culture is still very distinct and their kingdom is independent. Madzikane was the founder and a King of the Bhaca people. His successor as king was Ncaphayi.

The Kingdom of Bhacas is currently being revived by the great house of King Ncaphayi, Inkosi Madzikane II Thandisizwe Diko.