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Bahurutshe Clan — History & Meaning
Tswana clan · Setswana
Totem Baboon (Setswana: tshwene); the group is also called Batshweneng. Older tradition holds an earlier eland (phofu) totem was changed to the baboon.
History & origin
Widely regarded as the senior Tswana group, named after the founder Mohurutshe. They are associated with the Zeerust/Lehurutshe area of South Africa's North West Province, with historic centres such as Sedutlane. Tradition explains their seniority over the Bakwena through a first-fruits ceremony in which Mohurutshe ate melons touched by baboon, while Kwena refused, and links the totem change from eland to baboon to this event. Many other Tswana groups are regarded as offshoots of the Bahurutshe, though the Bafokeng, Barolong and Bakgatla have at times disputed Hurutshe seniority.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Mohurutshe, Motebele, Hurutshe.
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.