Museum shows AmaXhosa history

GRAHAMSTOWN’S Albany museum may be short of funds but this has not stopped it from putting together an ambitious permanent exhibition that celebrates the rich history of the AmaXhosa kingdom.

Funded on a shoestring R20 000 budget, phase one of the AmaXhosa Kingdom exhibition traces the lineage of today’s King Mpendulo Zwelonke Sigcawu back several centuries to the founder of the nation, King Xhosa, and beyond.

The exhibition was officially opened on Wednesday night by King Sigcawu, who praised the museum for showcasing the roots of the AmaXhosa nation.

“It is a great privilege to be here,” he said. “I learnt a lot seeing this exhibition.”

The exhibit was an opportunity for generations to see and learn about the AmaXhosa in the Eastern Cape, Sigcawu said.

According to the family tree on display, Sigcawu is the 21st king in a lineage that stretches back to when Ntu ruled more than 2 000 years ago.

He is from the great house of King Phalo, on the lineage of King Gcaleka.

Phumeza Mntonintshe, of the museum, said the king’s family tree was phase one of three that would include family artefacts like clothes, chairs and books and stained glass works detailing the history of the AmaXhosa.

She said the idea for the permanent exhibition started when Sigcawu was crowned last year at his Nqadu Great Place in Willowvale and he had engaged with museum staff several times during the research.

Arts and Culture department museums and heritage manager Monwabisi Kobese said the exhibition was a way to reclaim the history of the AmaXhosa.