RARABE

Rarabe (circa 1722-1787), son of Xhosa Chief Phalo, was the first Paramount Chief of the Rarabe or Ngqika (Gaika) branch of the Xhosa (1775-87). The Rarabe Xhosa settled to the west of the Kei River, the most southerly of the Nguni people. During Chief Phalo’s rule, the Xhosa split into two dominant chiefdoms, one ruled by Rarabe and the other by his brother Gcaleka.

The conflict that led to the schism within the House of Phalo and the creation of the two new Xhosa chiefdoms was initiated when Rarabe’s younger half-brother Gcaleka grew impatient and tried to take the power forcibly from his father Chief Phalo. Rarabe sided with his father against his brother and, in the fight that ensued, Rarabe and Phalo were able to quell the insurrection. However, to prevent further fraternal conflict at the end of the hostilities, Phalo and Rarabe left, moving across the Kei River into what is now known as the Ciskei. Gcaleka remained in the north, in the area now called the Transkei.

The dispute over the chieftaincy divided the Xhosa nation into two dominant chiefdoms. On Phalo’s death in 1775, Rarabe became chief of the Ngqika (Gaika). He remained neutral in the growing hostilities with the Europeans but, at the same time, he consolidated his chiefdom by subjugating the Khoi and the San and attacking the neighbouring Thembu people.

Rarabe and his son Mlawu were both killed fighting the Thembu in 1787. Mlawu was the heir apparent and so, with his death, the chieftaincy went to Mlawu’s youngest son, Ngqika. Since Ngqika was only eight years old, the power went to Ndlambe, Mlawu’s brother, until Ngqika came of age.

VIRGINIA CURTIN KNIGHT