Origin of the name Nghala
The word Nghala means Lion in Tsonga.
The Tsonga people are a bantu speaking ethnic group who can be found in South Africa, Mozambique and parts of Zimbabwe.
This colourful ethnic group mainly resides in the southern part of Africa as a continent.
In Tsonga, ‘ku va nghala’, to be a lion refers to being brave and ku lwa xinghala translates to fight like a lion.
Traditionally, Tsonga men wear animal skins, while the women wear beads and colourful gathered skirts which shake when they dance.
The Tsonga people are known for their colourful passion over the years. This is evident in the peoples decorations, artifacts and even the clothing and fashion details. The Tsonga are also known for their colourful Xitsonga dresses and other body ornaments. These include bright head wraps known as ‘duku’, wooden legs and hand bracelets called ‘deha’ necklace beads.
Tsonga culture is a perfect example of South Africa’s rich history and cultural heritage. From its Xitsonga language to its colorful xibelani cultural clothes and beautiful music and dances, Xitsonga is a people of great interest. Their traditional cuisine, dress code, and music have such inspired the current South African ways of life from fashion to the entertainment industries.