The Pulana, or Mapulana, are a low-veld ethnic group found in Bushbuckridge near Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. Their language is called Sepulana (SeKutswe and Pai) and is considered a dialect of the Northern Sotho language group.
The area where the Pulana live is called Bushbuckridge; it stretches from Crocodile River in the south to the Swazi border (Mapulana of Mashego) in the north, from Crocodile to Olifants River (Limpopo) in the north, Lebombo Mountains in the east, and also includes the whole town of Hazyview, White River, Mpumalanga (Lepunama), Sabie, Graskop, Hoedspruit, Barberton, Lydenburg and Dullstroom in the west. In the Pulana language, or Sepulana, Mapulaneng means "Place of the Mapulana people." The tribe derives its name from their founding leader, Lepulana, who later changed his name to Chiloane. Mapulana are descendants of Morolong, and their origins can be traced back to the Kgalagadi before they settled in Thaba Chueu, in what is today eastern Lesotho and Shakwaneng (Carolina) in the 1500s. Mapulana of Matshwe I got their name from their leader, Pulane, and they are offshoots of Amazizi and of Nguni origin.
History
The origin of the MaPulana and the history of how long they have been living in the greater Mapulaneng area are topics of hot debate. Research shows that there are three groups of Mapulana: Mapulana of Mohlomi, who are Bakwena, and the first Mapulana to settle at Thaba Chueu, Mapulana of Matshwe I, of Pulane, who are Amazizi, who used to live along the Tugela River and later joined the other Mapulana at Thaba Chueu. The Mapulana of Chiloane, who are Barolong by origin and left the main Barolong tribe during the reign of Tau. The Mapulana King Malele had two prominent sons: the eldest was Morale, aka Chiloane Jr., and the second was Mashego. The two were better warriors and well respected by their followers. A bitter quarrel erupted between the two brothers over a young woman who happened to be their cousin, and the conflict was concealed by the royal family, who told the people that the brothers fought over a grain barn (seshego sa mabele). After realizing that the people were supporting the elder brother, Mashego left with his followers and settled along some Bakwena in what is present-day Eswatini separating himself from the main Mapulana tribe. Chiloane and Mashego were both recognized as Mapulana kings, with Chiloane being the senior. The Mapulana of Chiloane used to live in Phageng (Empakeni), south-east of Nelspruit and along the Lepunama River (Nelspruit), while the Mapulana of Mashego lived at Motsheteng (Emjindini, Barberton where Masoyi II, grandson of Mashego, was buried). MaPulana historian Moses Mashego tells us, "They had two kings, Mashego and Chiloane; the rest were subjects and chiefs."
In December 1864, the MaPulana defeated the Swazis at the battle of Moholoholo under the leadership of four chiefs, Maripe Mashile, Chiloane, and Mohlala, with Sekakole Maatjie, who was a brave warrior and a magician. The Bapedi under King Sekhukhune refused to help, and the Mapulana defended their stronghold of Moholoholo Mountains against a Swazi invasion sent by King Mswati II. The Swazi were annihilated, and the first to meet their death at the top of the mountain was the Swazi king's younger brother Zimase. Boulders were rolled down to ward off the enemy, and numerous attacks on their stronghold were repelled. Skeletons of the Swazi casualties littered the mountain for a long time afterwards. The river below the Mountain was named Motlasedi (Klaserie)
There are legendary tales among the MaPulana about the bravery and cleverness of Sekakole (who was already an old man) at the Battle of Moholoholo. It is said that he wielded guns that he had traded for and performed many magic spells to best the Swazi soldiers, with one notable tale telling of how he turned himself into an anthill to confuse his enemy and escape.