Xhosa Woman Displays Her Wares click to enlarge

The Xhosa

Traditional Xhosa Pipes click to enlarge

At nearly 7 million, the Xhosa speaking population is the second largest ethnic group in South Africa behind the Zulu.  Their traditional homelands are in the Amatola and Winterberg Mountains, where they settled sometime in the 1600s.  While noted for their distinctive dress, the Xhosa are also well known for their unique language.  The "clicks" in the Xhosa language always seem to give Westerners fits (the Xhosa people we met found that quite amusing!).

The Xhosa also have a rich history and vibrant social heritage.  Their best known statesmen, Nelson Mandela, is merely the latest in a long line of social activists and prominent historical figures of Xhosa heritage.  Please join us and our friends at Mgwali village as we take a look at this fascinating people.