📚 Introduction The Tswana language (Setswana) is rich in culture, history, and wisdom passed down through generations. One of the […]
Introduction The Sotho tribe, also known as the Basotho, is one of the most prominent ethnic groups in South Africa. […]
🧭 Introduction: Who Are the Tswana People? The Tswana tribe is one of the largest Bantu-speaking ethnic groups in Southern […]
Diboko Clan Names
🦁 List of Tswana Clan Names
| Clan Name | Totem / Praise / Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Batlhaping | Fish (Tlhapi) | Known for being a sub-group of the Barolong; settled in Northern Cape & Botswana. |
| Barolong | Tholo (Kudu) | Descendants of Morolong; one of the oldest Tswana tribes. |
| Bakgatla | Kgabo (Monkey) | Found in South Africa & Botswana; totem is the monkey. |
| Bakwena | Kwena (Crocodile) | One of the most prominent clans in Botswana and South Africa. |
| Bangwaketse | Phatšwa (Bushbuck) | A prominent Tswana tribe located in southern Botswana. |
| Batlokwa | Thakadu (Antbear/Aardvark) | Found in both Botswana and South Africa. |
| Bakgalagadi | Tlou (Elephant) | Largely found in western Botswana; considered culturally distinct. |
| Bakubung | Phuti (Duiker) | Name means “people of the hippo”. |
| Bahurutshe | Tlou (Elephant) | Considered the elder tribe among the Tswana groups. |
| Baphalane | Nare (Buffalo) | Found in North West Province (SA); praise includes “Nare e thibetseng molomo”. |
| Barutse | Tau (Lion) | A Tswana clan known in parts of North West SA and Botswana. |
| Bamangwato | Mokgalo | A major Tswana tribe in Botswana. |
| Bamalete | Phuti (Duiker) | Known for settlement in Ramotswa, Botswana. |
| Bakgatla ba Kgafela | Kgabo (Monkey) | Sub-group of Bakgatla, with chieftaincy in Mochudi, Botswana & Moruleng, SA. |
| Batlokwa ba Motaung | Tau (Lion) | A branch of Batlokwa, particularly in Lesotho & Free State. |
| Barwa | Not well documented | Possibly a smaller or extinct lineage. |
| Baphiring | Thakadu (Aardvark) | Found in SA and Botswana. |
| Batlharo | Tlou (Elephant) | Found near Kuruman and other parts of Northern Cape. |
| Batlokwa ba Mokgalong | Mokgalo | A subset of Batlokwa. |
| Basia | Nare (Buffalo) | Found in Free State, Lesotho & North West. |
| Batloung | Tlou (Elephant) | Possibly related to Bahurutshe. |
| Bahurutse ba ga Moiloa | Tlou (Elephant) | Found in Zeerust, North West. |
| Bakwadi | Koena (Crocodile) | Possibly a branch of Bakwena. |
| Bakgalaka | Unknown | Possibly an extinct or integrated group. |
| Banareng | Nare (Buffalo) | Close ties with Basotho clans as well. |
🔍 Notes:
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Totems (called seboko in Setswana) are very important in Tswana culture and are usually associated with clan names.
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Some clans are subgroups of larger clans, like Bakgatla ba Kgafela from Bakgatla.
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These clan names may also have praise poems (dipina tsa seboko), which are often recited at ceremonies.
🇱🇸 List of Sotho Clan Names (Diboko)
| Clan Name (Seboko) | Totem / Symbol | Praise / Description |
|---|---|---|
| Basia | Wild Cat / Leopard | Bana ba Mokhachane, ba hlola maqhenela ka sebete. |
| Bataung | Lion | Ba hloka boroko, ba lwana bosiu le motšehare. |
| Bafokeng | Monkey | Bana ba Phofolo, ba tsoang Thabong. |
| Bakubung | Porcupine | Ba bohlale, ba khutsitse empa ba na le metsu. |
| Bahlakoana | Little Buffalo | Ba hlaba ka lenaka, ba sa shebe morao. |
| Bakoena | Crocodile | Bana ba Koena, ba hlola mefoka metsing. |
| Bamokhatla | Dwarf / Small figure | Ba mekgathala, ba nang le bohlale. |
| Balimo | Ancestor spirits | Ba rapela melimo, ba hlompha setso. |
| Batlokoa | Antelope / Wildebeest | Ba Matlokoa a Phofung, ba lwana ka lerumo. |
| Barolong | Calf / Cow | Ba na le khutso, ba ruile likhomo le lihlapi. |
| Bahlakwana | Small Buffalos | Ba nkang linaka, ba sa tšohe lira. |
| Bakgatla | Monkey | Ba kgatla ba malekoa, ba rapela Bahale. |
| Baphuthi | Eland | Ba tsoaletsoe Maloti, ba loma joalo ka phuthi. |
| Matebele | Warrior Nation | Ba ba tlileng le marumo, ba rorisitsoe ka ntwa. |
📜 Example Clan Praise (Seboko):
Bakoena:
Koena e hloka metsi,
E sesa le marung,
E etsa lebitso,
Bakoena ba ha Nkoe,
Ba hlomphuoa ke marena.
📌 Notes:
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Clan names are passed through the father’s line in Sotho culture.
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Each clan name is deeply tied to identity, ancestry, and heritage.
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Totems (diboko) are respected and not eaten or harmed by their respective clans.
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Clan praise poems are recited in ceremonies and important life events like weddings and funerals.