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Bataung Clan — History & Meaning
Tswana clan · Setswana
Totem Lion (Setswana/Sesotho: tau)
History & origin
A Sotho-Tswana group whose name means 'people of the lion' (from tau, lion), said to derive from a district that had many lions; their founder was named Tau. The Bataung are prominent in Sesotho-speaking history: under Chief Moletsane they were a major military ally of King Moshoeshoe I during the Difaqane/Mfecane of the early-to-mid 19th century, helping defend Basotho strongholds such as Thaba Bosiu. They are spread among Setswana-, Sesotho- and Sepedi-speaking communities in South Africa, Lesotho and Botswana.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Moletsane, Tau, Mphahlele.
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.