Vhanyai in the sources
Wikipedia’s Venda people article names the Vhanyai among the Karanga-Rodzvi clans from Zimbabwe that later settled on Vhangona land. The Luonde site likewise lists them among the later Karanga-Rozvi settlers.
What the sources say
The Know My Roots blog adds that the Vhanyai and the Vhalembethu occupied all of eastern Venda, and gives their prominent chiefs as Makahane, Nelombe and Tshilowa; it cites no source. See our Vhalembethu page.
The Commission’s determination on the Vhavenda kingship claim does not mention the Vhanyai.
Cautions
The chiefs’ names and the territory come from one uncited blog. We found no confirmed totem or praise text.
Izithakazelo and totem
We are printing no Vhanyai praises or totem because none has been confirmed. If you belong to the Vhanyai and recite your praises, we would like to record them, with your permission and credited to you.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Venda people (tagged as needing more citations; its clan list has no inline citations)
- Know My Roots: Venda Clan Names (community blog; no author or citations given, so treat as unverified)
- Luonde: Brief History (a community site; no author or bibliography given, so treat as unverified)
See also Vhangona and Masingo.
Do you belong to the Vhanyai? Tell us your praises and what elders say about the history, and we will add it, credited to you. Share what you know or WhatsApp 065 138 8213.