Great Wife or senior wife for(West African kingdoms) is the honorific title applied to royal and aristocratic born consorts in kingdoms and states throughout the continent.
Historically great wives have played a great role in ruling alongside her husband(king, emperor or pharoah), were in charge of their husband's harem, and served a variety of priestly functions.
We will begin with a few great wives from kingdoms I have written about here on the blog. As the writings grow, I will be including a few others post.
1) Her Royal Highness Giwan DanMaje Sadiya Sanusi of The Kano Emirate, in Nigeria. You can read more about her by click the link above.
2) Her Royal Highness Queen Tandiwe of Western Mpondo was born as Princess Jessica Tandiwe Zulu the daughter of HM King Solomon Zulu of the Zulu Kingdom. In 1943, she became the first wife of Inkosi Enkhulu Tutor Nyangelizwe Vulindlela Ndamase, the 5th Paramount Chief of Western Pondoland with whom they have 3 children.
3) HRH Princess Magogo Zulu of the Zulu Kingdom. Daughter to HM King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, sister to HM King Solomon Zulu. In 1926, she married HRH Chief Mathole Buthelezi, Chief of the Buthelezi Clan.
4) HRH Princess Feziwe Ndamase or Queen Nondwe of the Xhosa of Western Pondoland. She was the daughter of Inkosi Enkhulu Tutor Nyangelizwe Vulindlela Ndamase, the 5th Paramount Chief of Western Pondoland and Queen Tandiwe. In July 5th 1979, she married Inkosi Enkhulu Xolilizwe Mzikayise Sigcawu, 9th Paramount Chief of the Gcaleka tribe.
5) HRH Queen Mother Bhongolethu Dlamini of Western Pondoland. She is the granddaughter of His Majesty King Sobhuza II of Eswatini(Swaziland) through his son HRH Prince Makhungu Dlamini. She was married to chief Makaziwe Ndamase of Western Pondoland, who was the first son of nkosi Enkhulu Tutor Nyangelizwe Vulindlela Ndamase, the 5th Paramount Chief of Western Pondoland and Queen Tandiwe. She became regent following the death of her husband. Her son HM King Ndamase Ndamase is the current 6th Paramount chief.
6) HM Queen Mother Lombekiso Dlamini of Eastern Pondoland. She is daughter of HRH Prince Makhungu Dlamini (son of HM King Sobhuza II of Swaziland). She is also the sister to the current Queen Mother of Western Pondoland. She was married to HM the late King Justice Mpondombini Thandizulu Sigcau, Paramount Chief of Eastern Pondoland. Following the death of her husband she became Regent.
7) HM Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu of the Zulu Kingdom: She is the daughter of HM the late King Sobhuza II of Swaziland. She is married to His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithwi of the Zulu Kingdom and is the 1st wife
To be continued
Historically great wives have played a great role in ruling alongside her husband(king, emperor or pharoah), were in charge of their husband's harem, and served a variety of priestly functions.
We will begin with a few great wives from kingdoms I have written about here on the blog. As the writings grow, I will be including a few others post.
1) Her Royal Highness Giwan DanMaje Sadiya Sanusi of The Kano Emirate, in Nigeria. You can read more about her by click the link above.
2) Her Royal Highness Queen Tandiwe of Western Mpondo was born as Princess Jessica Tandiwe Zulu the daughter of HM King Solomon Zulu of the Zulu Kingdom. In 1943, she became the first wife of Inkosi Enkhulu Tutor Nyangelizwe Vulindlela Ndamase, the 5th Paramount Chief of Western Pondoland with whom they have 3 children.
3) HRH Princess Magogo Zulu of the Zulu Kingdom. Daughter to HM King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, sister to HM King Solomon Zulu. In 1926, she married HRH Chief Mathole Buthelezi, Chief of the Buthelezi Clan.
4) HRH Princess Feziwe Ndamase or Queen Nondwe of the Xhosa of Western Pondoland. She was the daughter of Inkosi Enkhulu Tutor Nyangelizwe Vulindlela Ndamase, the 5th Paramount Chief of Western Pondoland and Queen Tandiwe. In July 5th 1979, she married Inkosi Enkhulu Xolilizwe Mzikayise Sigcawu, 9th Paramount Chief of the Gcaleka tribe.
5) HRH Queen Mother Bhongolethu Dlamini of Western Pondoland. She is the granddaughter of His Majesty King Sobhuza II of Eswatini(Swaziland) through his son HRH Prince Makhungu Dlamini. She was married to chief Makaziwe Ndamase of Western Pondoland, who was the first son of nkosi Enkhulu Tutor Nyangelizwe Vulindlela Ndamase, the 5th Paramount Chief of Western Pondoland and Queen Tandiwe. She became regent following the death of her husband. Her son HM King Ndamase Ndamase is the current 6th Paramount chief.
6) HM Queen Mother Lombekiso Dlamini of Eastern Pondoland. She is daughter of HRH Prince Makhungu Dlamini (son of HM King Sobhuza II of Swaziland). She is also the sister to the current Queen Mother of Western Pondoland. She was married to HM the late King Justice Mpondombini Thandizulu Sigcau, Paramount Chief of Eastern Pondoland. Following the death of her husband she became Regent.
7) HM Queen Mantfombi Dlamini-Zulu of the Zulu Kingdom: She is the daughter of HM the late King Sobhuza II of Swaziland. She is married to His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithwi of the Zulu Kingdom and is the 1st wife
To be continued