kingdom · Central and Southern Africa

Xhosa Kingdom

1600 CE – 1775 CE (approx.)

The united Xhosa paramountcy of the Tshawe royal house, which expanded westward to meet the Cape Colony's frontier before splitting in two.

Origins

The Xhosa were the south-westernmost Nguni-speaking people, and their royal Tshawe lineage traditionally asserted supremacy over other clans in the region between the Mbashe and Kei rivers. By the 17th century the Xhosa paramount was recognised by a growing confederation of chiefdoms, many incorporating Khoikhoi groups.

Rule and society

The paramount ruled through royal kin who governed their own chiefdoms with considerable independence, advised by councils of counsellors. Wealth was measured in cattle, and expansion came through younger sons founding new chiefdoms in fresh pastures. Under Tshiwo and Phalo the Xhosa moved west towards the Fish River, absorbing Khoikhoi and gaining clicks in their language.

Decline and legacy

A dispute between Phalo's sons Gcaleka and Rharhabe split the paramountcy, and on Phalo's death around 1775 it divided into the Gcaleka Xhosa Kingdom east of the Kei and the Rharhabe Xhosa Kingdom to the west, just as frontier wars with the Cape Colony began.

Lineage

Xhosa KingdomRharhabe Xhosa Kingdom 1775 CE – 1847 CEGcaleka Xhosa Kingdom 1775 CE – 1885 CE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Xhosa Kingdom. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/xhosa-kingdom
MLA
“Xhosa Kingdom.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/xhosa-kingdom. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Xhosa Kingdom.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/xhosa-kingdom.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Xhosa Kingdom’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/xhosa-kingdom (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻