Talmuk

Talmuk is a term that refers to the traditional system of social organization in the Ndebele kingdom of Matabeleland, a region located in present-day Zimbabwe. The Ndebele people were a branch of the Zulu tribe who migrated to the area in the 19th century and established their own kingdom under the leadership of King Mzilikazi.

The Talmuk system was a hierarchical structure that was divided into five distinct social classes. The different classes were based on a person's hereditary status, wealth, and military prowess. At the top of the hierarchy was the class of aristocrats, known as the Isikwavane, who held the most power and influence in the society. The next class was that of the warriors, known as the iNgeze, who were responsible for defending the kingdom and conducting raids on neighboring tribes.

Below the warriors were the farmers, known as the indeshulu, who were responsible for cultivating the land and providing food for the kingdom. The fourth class was that of the artisans, known as the amabobetane, who were skilled in crafts such as metalworking and weaving. At the bottom of the hierarchy were the servants, known as the impyesha, who performed manual labor and menial duties for the other classes.

The Talmuk system played an important role in maintaining social order and ensuring the stability of the Ndebele kingdom. However, the system was also prone to tension and conflict between the different classes, particularly between the aristocrats and the warriors. The Talmuk system was eventually phased out in the early 20th century as the Ndebele kingdom was assimilated into the larger colonial state.