[5][6][7][8][4] The Ngoni kingdom began during the reign of Chaka, the Zulu king, which marked the beginning of a dark chapter in African history.

Noluju's story serves as a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of violence and revenge that characterized this dark period in African history.

[9] As Zwide's power waned, Zwangendaba and other petty chiefs led sections of the tribe in search of new lands, adopting Chaka's methods and seeking to emulate his fame.

They then entered Tongaland, settled for a time, and later moved on to attack the Kalanga tribe, instructing them in their warfare methods and gaining power through their additions.

[12] The Ngoni people's journey, marked by conquest and violence, was shaped by their desire for power and their adoption of Chaka's methods, which had a lasting impact on the region.

It's likely that his journey northward was marked by violence and bloodshed, as he and his successor Umzila expanded their kingdom, subjugating many small tribes in the process.

Dr. Moffat's accounts of his visits with Mzilikazi offer a fascinating glimpse into the life of this powerful chief, who was both a ruthless warrior and a complex individual.

The Ngoni then splintered into sections, with some heading northward on the west side of Tanganyika, while others, led by Ntutu, went eastward, carrying war and bloodshed across a vast region.

The wave of bloodshed unleashed by Chaka's initial conquests continued to spread, a testament to the enduring legacy of his brutal reign.

The Ngoni, still unsatisfied with their conquests, launched attacks on Urundi and Uhha, but faced formidable foes in the Wahha and other intra-lake region tribes.

Despite their setbacks, they continued their destructive path through Uvinza, Unyamwezi, Uzumbwa, Utambara, Urangwa, Uyofu, and Uzinja, eventually reaching the Victoria Nyanza, where they rested for several years.

They continued to occupy the valleys of the Lunyangwa, Kasitu, and Rukuru rivers, governing the Tumbuka and Tonga tribes and only recently abandoning their predatory ways.

The Ngoni and their cousins, the Shangaan, spoke a dialect prevalent in the Ndwandwe area, which was under Zwide's control, a fierce opponent of Shaka Zulu.

The Ngoni version reads: "bona, ngithuma ithenga lami phambili kwobuso bakho, lona lelo liyakulungisa indlela yakho."

Interestingly, Jumbe, another Ngoni leader, broke protocol by meeting Dr. Laws halfway in 1879, likely due to internal conflicts and external threats from the Yao.

[16][17] During the waiting period, Chikusi's advisors sought assurances from Dr. Laws regarding the intentions of the visiting party, ensuring no harm or ill will towards their leader.

[16] Before the missionaries could establish a presence in his kingdom, Chikusi's people launched a series of raids in 1882, plundering the lands of the Yao, Chewa, and Kololo in the Shire Highlands and Lowlands.

Later that month, the Ngoni raided various areas, but spared the region between Blantyre and Bangwe, thanks to the intervention of John Moir and Henry Henderson.

[18] Chikusi, the Ngoni leader, was initially hesitant to allow a mission station in his territory, but eventually consented in 1887 after persistent efforts by Dr. Laws.

Missionaries and traders maintained a distance from Ngoni politics in the south, unlike in the north, where they played a more active role.

Unlike in the north, missionaries and traders in the south maintained a distance from Ngoni politics, exerting influence from afar.

The Ngoni had subjugated various tribes in the north through conquest or fear, incorporating younger members into their society while allowing village elders to maintain their traditional way of life.

In the Henga and Kasitu valleys, the Ngoni settled and introduced their martial organization and expanded cattle herds, imposing their patrilineal customs on the matrilineal Tumbuka and Tonga societies.