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Matlala Clan — History & Meaning
Pedi clan · Sepedi
Totem Crocodile (English) / Kwena in Sotho
History & origin
Matlala is a Northern Sotho chiefdom of the Bakwena/Bakone grouping seated in the former Matlala area of the Pietersburg (now Polokwane) district, Limpopo. As a Bakwena-affiliated group their totem is the crocodile (kwena). They are listed among the highveld Northern Sotho (Pedi-related) chiefdoms, sometimes recorded as 'Kone (Matlala)', reflecting both their Bakone and Bakwena affiliations. The Matlala chiefly family held recognised traditional leadership in the Northern Transvaal; for example Kwena Matlala (b. 1920) was a daughter of Chief Sekgwari Matlala.
Associated surnames
Surnames that share this clan: Bakwena, Bakone, Sekgwari, Kwena.
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.