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Bangwato-ba-Mangwato Clan — History & Meaning
Tswana clan · Setswana
Totem Duiker (phuti in Setswana)
History & origin
The Bangwato (also Bamangwato / BagammaNgwato / Ngwato) are one of the eight principal Tswana chieftaincies of Botswana, occupying the Central District with their capital at Serowe (from 1902). The clan branched from the Bakwena and traces descent from the ancestor Ngwato. Their totem is the duiker (phuti), tied to a tradition that a duiker helped Kgosi Khama escape pursuit. The Ngwato are famous for the reign of Kgosi Khama III (c.1875-1923), an influential Christian convert and modernising ruler, and for Seretse Khama, Bangwato kgosi who became Botswana's first president. The royal cemetery and the duiker totem are landmarks at Serowe.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Khama, Sekgoma, Ngwato, Seretse.
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.