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Bakwena ba Molibeli Clan — History & Meaning
Sotho clan · Sesotho
Totem Crocodile (English) — kwena/koena (Sesotho)
History & origin
Bakwena ba (ha) Molibeli are a recognised branch of the Bakwena clan in Lesotho and the Free State, descended from the Kwena ancestor (oral tradition places Kwena around the 15th century, a grandson of Masilo of the Bahurutshe). They are preserved in Sesotho clan praises (liboko) with named ancestors including Masilo and links to lineages such as Khooanyane. Like all Bakwena they venerate the crocodile, and they were among the southern Sotho clans drawn into Moshoeshoe I's Basotho nation in the 19th century. Documentation is mainly genealogical/praise-poetry based.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Bakwena, Masilo line, Bakwena ba Monaheng, Bakwena ba Mokoteli.
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.