Izithakazelo Zakwa Bakgatla Clan Names History and Origin
Bakgatla clan names typically reflected either their founder or animal they worshiped; these would then be passed down like English surnames.
The BaKgatla ba Mmanaana are found both in Botswana and South Africa – separated by international borders yet united by history and culture. Their current Kgosikgolo (King or Paramount Chief) is Kgafela Kgafela II.
Bakgatla Clan Names (Izithakazelo):
The Bakgatla clan is a prominent Tswana group in Southern Africa, known for their rich cultural heritage. Their praise names (Izithakazelo) are used to honor their ancestors and preserve their identity.
- Bakgatla
- Mogale
- Mokgatla
- Mokgosi
- Mokgware
- Mogashoa
- Motswasele
- Mogotlholo
Bakgatla Clan Founders
Clans typically took on names derived from either their founder or totem animal; such as Bakwena (crocodile). Sometimes clans adopted another group’s totem as their own; for instance, Bangwaketse adopted the lion of another clan as its totem. A clan’s totem often serves as a powerful means of distinguishing themselves from other groups of people.
The Bakgatla clan is one of Africa’s southern Bantu-speaking tribes, commonly known collectively as Sotho-Tswana. Although they differ significantly, some common features exist among all members, including mutually intelligible dialects, totemism, preferential marriage of maternal cousins, and distinctive circular dwelling styles.
Botswana was initially beset by power shifts following independence, leading to conflict and division within its royal family. While Kgosi Khwekile remained as Mochudi’s royal family member, there have been factions in both Botswana and Moruleng who oppose his authority and continue his rule as royal family member there.
Following Chief Tabane’s death, his sons broke away from the Bakgatla and formed their own offshoot clans; these included Bakgatla ba Kgafela, Bakgatla ba Mmakau and Bakgatla ba Motsha. These would later give rise to clans like Bapedi, BaKholokoe and Batlokwa respectively; Mmakau had the kgabo as their totem and could help arbitrate disputes amongst subclans like Basia and Baphiti.
Bakgatla Clan Totems
Most clans within the Bakgatla tribe possess an animal totem which they view with great reverence and it is against law for members to hunt or handle their sacred totem animal, such as an aardvark in Xaniqwee’s case which they hold sacred as part of their culture and traditions.
As one of the many offshoot clans from the Bakgatla tribe, one of the most striking clans is BaKholokoe. Found in Botswana’s Kalanga region and revered for their totem of a kgabo (monkey), their BaKholokoe clan boasts an extraordinary story that dates back centuries of war and peril.
As they fled from Mfecane Wars, their ancestors found themselves trapped by a raging river and its fearsome enemies. While struggling for survival, one scout saw a monkey crossing a makeshift bridge-like tree over the river – this remarkable animal’s intelligence and kindness became invaluable for the tribe, so much so that the name “Bakgatla ba Mmakau” took the monkey as their totem animal; today Bapedi, Baklokwa and Basia clans are known as Kgosi of BaKgatla ba Mmakau.
Bakgatla Clan Traditions
Bakgatla tribes use totems to distinguish themselves from one another; they also have unique traditions and beliefs. For instance, the Kalanga tribe in Tonota in Botswana’s northeast uses an image of a pig as their totem; this animal’s meat is considered unclean and should not be consumed.
Bangwaketse tribe members also possess an uncommon totem; they revere an animal part within an animal as their sacred totem (known as kgathla or kgabu in their language), meaning ‘to dazzle or impress very deeply’ – something which was likely driven home by being once warring tribe.
Another group that venerates birds as their totem is the Bawumbe tribe, known for both aesthetic values and survival skills. While other clans may value certain animals as symbols for themselves, this tribe does not have an explicit reason to respect birds as totems.
As soon as Bakgatla ba Kgafela arrived at Schildpadfontein, its establishment did not come without conflict. Diale and Matlaisane, two sons of Chief Bambui were in an argument over who should lead. This led to two separate tribes emerging: Bakgatla ba Kgafela and Bakgatla ba Mmakau.
Bakgatla Clan Language
The Bakgatla are divided into numerous tribes led by monarchs in southern Africa, most commonly Botswana and South Africa. Each of the groups are home to Tswana-speaking people – derived from “tshwa,” meaning people who cannot remain together.
Tswana clan names are determined by a totem animal or object that the group reveres, for instance the Batalaunda is one clan that reveres heart from animals and thus they consume all other parts of it, while Bafokeng are found primarily in hilly areas of Botswana.
Other clans use different totems, while the Bakgatla utilize Tswana as their language of communication and use a unique naming system in which every family gives each person a name to use when addressing one another in this community.
Bakgatla clans have established diverse cultures and traditions over time. In the past, they faced difficulties from cattle raids to inter-tribal battles and drought. Meanwhile, their land was being intruded upon by settlers which led to conflicts over property rights which eventually caused splits within their clans; eventually resulting in Kgafela, Pedi and other offshoots being formed which can still be found throughout Botswana and South Africa today.
