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Bafokeng ba Mmutla Clan — History & Meaning
Sotho clan · Sesotho
Totem Hare / rabbit (Sesotho: mmutla)
History & origin
The Bafokeng ('people of the dew', from phoka = dew) are one of the oldest and most senior Sotho-Tswana stocks, traditionally regarded (alongside the Barolong) as a founding clan from which much of Basotho genealogy descends. They trace to the Ntsuanatsatsi origin tradition and were among the earliest Bantu groups south of the Vaal. The Bafokeng venerate the hare (mmutla) as their principal totem, reflecting traits of cleverness; some Bafokeng lines also reference morara (wild vine) or, at Phokeng near Rustenburg, koena (crocodile). Bafokeng under chiefs such as Makara supported Moshoeshoe I and were incorporated into the Basotho nation. The Royal Bafokeng Nation at Phokeng (North West) is a well-known modern descendant community.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Mofokeng, Makara, Tsele, Mokoteli (Fokeng lines).
We publish the full diboko (clan praises) only once we can verify them against documented tradition — for this clan they are still being confirmed. If you can share an authoritative version, corrections are warmly welcomed.