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Batlhako Clan — History & Meaning
Tswana clan · Setswana
Totem Tlou (elephant).
History & origin
The Batlhako are a Setswana-speaking clan of the western Transvaal/North West region of South Africa, with the elephant (tlou) as their totem — a totem they share with several other Sotho-Tswana groups (e.g. branches of the Bakgatla, Batlou/Batloung). Documented branches include the Batlhako ba Leema. They are part of the broader Sotho-Tswana family that settled the highveld and bushveld of present-day North West Province.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Batlhako ba Leema, Matlou (cognate elephant-totem surnames).
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.