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Bafurutshe Clan — History & Meaning
Tswana clan · Setswana
Totem Baboon (tshwene) and Eland (phofu) — also given as Tshwene/Phofu
History & origin
The Bafurutshe (Bahurutshe), named after their founder Mohurutshe, are widely regarded as the senior (most senior) clan of the Tswana, from whom many other merafe branched, including the Bakwena, Bangwato, Bangwaketse, Batawana, Bakgatla and others. Tradition places their early king Masilo I around the 14th century (c. 1360 CE), and Kwena, ancestor of the Bakwena, is held to be a grandson of Masilo. Their seniority has at times been disputed by the Bafokeng, Barolong and Bakgatla. They are alternatively called Batshweneng (after the baboon totem) or Batloung; their documented totems are the baboon (tshwene) and eland (phofu). They are found in Botswana and the North West Province of South Africa (the South African Bahurutshe being centred historically around Zeerust/Dinokana).
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Moiloa, Mokgatlhe, Gopane, Motshegare.
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.