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Bashwene Clan — History & Meaning
Sotho clan · Sesotho
Totem Tshwene (baboon) - English: baboon.
History & origin
Bashwene is a form of Batshweneng / Batshwene, the baboon-totem clan among the Sotho-Tswana. They venerate the tshwene (baboon) and in clan characterisation are traditionally associated with ingenuity, adaptability and imitation. Like other animal-totem diboko they are one of the descent groups gathered into the wider Sotho world, with sub-lineages found among both Southern Sotho and Tswana communities. (The name reflects the standard Sotho-Tswana pattern of naming a clan after the venerated/avoided animal.)
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Batshweneng, Batshwene, Tshwene.
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.