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Bafokeng ba Setlolo Clan — History & Meaning
Sotho clan · Sesotho
Totem Dew / hare — the Bafokeng are traditionally associated with the hare (mmutla) and with 'phoka' (dew); totem usage varies by section
History & origin
The Bafokeng are one of the oldest Sotho-Tswana lineages, sometimes described as 'the people of the dew' (from 'phoka', dew), reflecting a tradition of being early/ancient inhabitants. The best-known Bafokeng polity is the Royal Bafokeng Nation around Phokeng near Rustenburg in North West Province, South Africa, famous for holding mineral (platinum) rights over their land. Bafokeng sections also dispersed into the Free State and Lesotho among the Basotho. 'Setlolo' denotes a particular Bafokeng house/section. I am confident on the Bafokeng identity, the dew/'phoka' association and Phokeng homeland; the precise Setlolo-section genealogy is local house tradition and should not be over-specified.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Fokeng, Phokeng.
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.