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Bamatau Clan — History & Meaning
Tswana clan · Setswana
Totem Tau (lion).
History & origin
The Bamatau (Batau, 'people of the lion') are a Northern Sotho/Bapedi-area cluster of clans whose totem is the lion (tau). Tradition traces some Batau origins to Swazi/Nguni roots, with movement north to the Lake Chrissie area from Wakkerstroom; after pressure during the Mfecane (associated with Mzilikazi), sections settled in Sekhukhuneland and surrounding parts of present-day Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The lion totem is shared by a number of associated surnames.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Mabitsela, Mashego, Mashile, Mphokane, Mametja, Mafokoane, Maunatlala, Rasebotsa.
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.