Izithakazelo Zakwa Barolong Clan Names History and Origin
The Barolong Clan Name History and Origin are fascinating. Their tribe name comes from their symbol – an antelope species known as Kudu – who acts as their totem animal.
Concerning the Kudu Totem, much confusion exists as to its meaning. Yet some things are evident; first it served to represent an oppressive royal hierarchy and secondly it represented power structures such as hierarchies of tribal chieftains.
Barolong Clan Names
The Barolong clan, part of the Tswana ethnic group in Southern Africa, has a rich heritage with several praise names (iziduko or izithakazelo). Here are some common Barolong clan names:
- Barolong
- Morolong
- Tshidi
- Ratshidi
- Tau
- Makgetla
- Sechele
- Mokgatla
- Segwagwa
Ratlou
Ratlou Village lies within South Africa’s Thaba Nchu Enclave. Located far to the east and south of Botswana and Lesotho, its people belong to Barolong Tribe under their leader King Tau.
Over time his many sons battled among themselves for control of this clan before it eventually fragmented into four and eventually five clans.
Each clan had its own house-hold. These residences occupied clusters with its own kgotla, hut, and lulu; family members lived separately according to gender in separate huts – an action taken to avoid inter-family rivalry; marriage was considered an investment between close relatives.
Mariba
The Batammariba view themselves as caretakers rather than owners of their land. Their ancestors made a deal with underground forces represented by rocks and trees; under this contract they pledged to observe certain agricultural rules while taking good care of their land.
Mariba is both the clan name and village in which this tribe resides. A small community with rich traditions that remain intact today.
Village located close to Botswana. Local chief Kopano Lekoko noticed that Botswanan citizens have begun entering his community under false pretenses as members of Mariba, obtaining proof of residency letters from him and his office.
Seitshiro
Your free spirit and passion shines bright. You embrace change and adventure without being scared to take risks, you are smart and witty person able to multi-task easily and people are drawn towards you due to your magnetic personality and sense of humor.
Seetsele Modiri Molema’s history of the Barolong was an important contribution to our understanding of people from northwestern Free State and their culture. For the first time ever, serious attempts were made at treating this group as one historical entity instead of as competing factions; traditional knowledge gave way to empirical data at his fingertips.
Mokalake
Mokalake is an evocative name, conjuring images of confidence and tactfulness. People with this name tend to be goal-driven individuals who enjoy working alongside people. Their spirit animal, the Wolf, indicates their adaptability in adapting to life’s changes.
Rules surrounding kgotla formation and succession were fluid; so too were household structures such as sebeso. If one son of a lelwapa founded a new kgotla, his younger ones often lived within its sebeso.
This happened often in Godimo, an area within Kgosing known as Godimo Motse where each kgotla operated autonomously although technically still subject to collective action or appeal by Bakwena kgosi at Kgosing
Moirwagale
Moirwagale Clan of Mafikeng: Based out of Mafikeng and named for Motsepe River that flows through it. Additionally, this name represents their affinity for fish; an essential staple food among Barolong people.
The Barolong tribe can be found throughout Botswana (formerly Bechuanaland), South Africa and the Northern Cape, descended from King Morolong who reigned around 1240 and his four sons Ratlou, Tshidi, Seleka and Rapulana.
The Barolong tribe is well known for their warrior spirit and have chosen the Tholo antelope as their totem animal, perhaps drawn upon from using Kudu horns for their tuyeres.
Tshidi
Your generosity draws people in from all walks of life. Your compassion makes you an exceptional humanitarian.
S.M. Molema’s History of the Barolong should be revisited, evaluated, and published to facilitate new ethnographic insight into southern Tswana region.
His work shows that history is an ever-evolving entity which influences our views of and perspectives towards past events; shapes future developments; and helps make sense of life itself.
Seleka
Seleka claims they are fighting for the rights of Central African Republic citizens; yet members have committed numerous human rights abuses such as summary executions, torture, enforced disappearances and property destruction.
Seleka combatants tend to be Muslim while anti-Seleka militias primarily consist of Christians; this has added a religious component to a conflict which had originally started out political in nature.
The transitional government has failed to prevent Seleka’s abuses or bring those responsible to justice, leaving communities traumatized for decades and leading them back toward reconciliation – one key way of which could involve religious leaders as key allies in rebuilding trust between these groups.
Rapulana
Rapulana is an upstanding member of his community. He lives with his wife and children. In recent years he has directed several stage productions, such as Athol Fugard’s Master Harold and the Boys at Market Theatre and hosted SABC1 reality competition series Class Act and Ambush.
Schapera understood that traditional African societies tended to favor male offspring; yet, he recognized there was significant variation between practices among different communities.
Kgosi Tau (ex Morwa) died at an early age, so in order to perpetuate his lineage an unconventional levirate arrangement was devised: He married Sebodio – his maternal cousin – so that their children would count as sons of Tau.
