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Batlokwa Clan — History & Meaning
Sotho clan · Sesotho
Totem Wild cat (Sesotho: nkwe/tlokwe-cat); in Botswana the ant-bear/aardvark (thakadu) and porcupine (noko) are also cited
History & origin
The Batlokwa (Batlokoa, 'people of the wild cat') take their name and totem from the tlokwe wild cat (the founder/royal kraal was called Nkwe). They are one of the three main Sotho-Tswana clans of Lesotho. The clan is most famous for Queen MaNthatisi (c.1784-1847), who ruled as regent for her son Sekonyela and led the Batlokwa as a formidable military force during the Difaqane (1810s-1820s), and for Sekonyela, who was a major rival of Moshoeshoe I until his defeat in 1853. The original wildcat totem became scarce through over-hunting; Botswana Batlokwa adopted the thakadu (ant-bear).
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: MaNthatisi, Sekonyela, Mokotjo, Motonosi, Tlokwa.
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.