Botswana Traditional states
Note: This record refers to
the "eight principal tribes"; all except the baMalete are ethnic baTswana,
and their ruling lines are genealogically related. Other baTswana tribes
and segments of tribes are recorded under South
African traditional states. Forms of names in
(parentheses) are "Europeanized" forms used in extra-tribal contexts.
baRôlông
c.1470
baRôlông bTshidi segment separates from other baRôlông
segments
(for which see South African traditional
states).
23 Mar 1885
British protectorate (as part of Bechuanaland).
1935
Barolong reserve created.
30 Sep 1966
Part of independent Republic of Botswana.
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
.... - c.1700
Setlhare
c.1700
Masepha
.... - ....
Mokgopha
.... - ....
Thibela
.... - c.1760
Tau
c.1760 - c.1775
Tshidi a Tau (Ratshidi)
(d. c.1775)
c.1775 - c.1785
Thutlwa a Tshidi
(d. c.1785)
c.1785 - c.1790
Makgêtla a Tau (acting)
(d. c.1790)
c.1790 - 1815
Lesomo a Tshidi (acting)
(b. 17.. - d. 1818)
1815 - 1848
Tawana a Tlhutlwa
(b. c.1775 - d. 1849)
1848 - 1849
Makgêtla a Tshidi (acting)
1849 - 19 Oct 1896
Montshiwa a Tau
(b. 1815 - d. 1896)
1896 - 1903
Bêsêlê I a Montshiwa (Wessels)
(d. 1903)
(acting)
1903 - 1911
Badirile a Montshiwa (acting) (d. 1911)
1911 - 1915
Lekôkô a Marumolwa (acting)
1915 - 1917
Joshua a Molêma (acting)
1917 - 1919
Bakolopang a Montshiwa (acting) (d. 1919)
1919 - 1954
Lotlamoreng I a Kebalepile
a Montshiwa
1954 - 19..
Tiêgo Tawana a Selere (acting)
19.. - 1971
Kebalepile a Lotlamoreng (d. 1971)
(Kebalepile Montshiwa)
1971 - 1977
Bêsêlê II a Kebalepile
(d. 2001)
(Besele Montshiwa) (1st time)
1977 - 1982
R. Motlhatledi ("Tribal Authority")
1982 - 17 Jun 2001
Bêsêlê II a Kebalepile
(s.a.)
(Besele Montshiwa)(2nd time)
23 Feb 2002 -
Lotlamoreng II
(b. 1976?)
(Lotlamoreng Montshiwa)
baKwêna
c.1570
baKwêna tribe established.
23 Mar 1885
British protectorate (as part of Bechuanaland).
1899
Bakwena reserve created.
30 Sep 1966
Part of independent Republic of Botswana.
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
.... - ....
Tebele
c.1700
Kgabo II
.... - ....
Masilo II
.... - c.1770
Motshodi
(d. c.1770)
c.1770 - c.1785
Motswasele I a Lekgwajane
(d. c.1785)
c.1785 - c.1795
Seitlhamo a Motswasele
(d. c.1795)
c.1795 - c.1803
Legwale a Seitlhamo
(d. c.1803)
c.1803 - 1805
Maleke a Seitlhamo (acting)
1805 - 1807
Tshosa a Seitlhamo (acting) (d.
c.1828?)
1807 - 1822
Motswasele II a Legwale
(b. c.1785 - d. 1822)
1822 - 1827
Morwakgomo a Tshosa
(d. 1828)
- Split into three segments (1827-53):
(1)
1827 - 1834
Kgama a Legwale
(d. c.1834)
(2)
1827 - 1845
Bobi a Tshosa
(d. 1845)
1845 - 1853
Kgakge a Tshosa
(3)
1827 - 1829
Segokotlo a Legwale (acting) (d. 1829)
1829 - 1831
Molesê a Legwale (acting)
(d. 1831)
1831 - 1853
Setshele I a Motswasele
(b. c.1815 - d. 1892)
"Rra Mokonopi"
- reunited -
1853 - 25 Sep 1892
Setshele I a Motswasele
(s.a.)
"Rra Mokonopi"
1892 - 23 Jan 1911
Sebele I a Setshele
(b. 1840/45 - d. 1911)
1911 - 1918
Setshele II Kealeboga a Sebele (b. 1875 - d. 1918)
1918 - 1931
Sebele II Kelebantse a Setshele (b. 1892 - d. 1939)
5 Jun 1931 - 1962 Kgari I a Setshele (acting to 195.)(b. 1904 - d. 1962)
1963 - 21 Sep 1970
Neale a Baruti (Neale Sechele) (b. 1916 - d. 1985)
Oct 1970 - Jan 1978
Bonewamang a Padi
(b. 1926 - d. 1978)
(Bonewamang Padi Sechele)
1978 - 1986
Setshele III (Mack Sechele)(acting)(b. 1934 - d. 2006)
1986 - Mar 1996
Moithali a Setshele (acting) (d. 1996)
(Mothali Sechele}
1996 - Jan 2002
Kgosikwêna a Sebele (acting)
(Kgosikwena Sechele}
17 Aug 2002 -
Kgari II a Bonewamang
(b. 1973)
(Kgari Sechele)
2006 - 2007 Boaname Kgari (acting deputy chief)
baNgwaketse
c.1650
baKwêna baNgwaketse tribe established
1750
baKwêna baNgwaketse established in their permanent territory.
23 Mar 1885
British protectorate (as part of Bechuanaland).
1899
Bangwaketse reserve created.
30 Sep 1966
Part of independent Republic of Botswana.
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
.... - ....
Leema
.... - ....
Khutwe
.... - ....
Khutwane
1750 - 1770
Mongala a Makaba I
(d. 1770)
1770 - 1790
Moleta a Mongala
1790 - 1817
Makaba II a Moleta "Rramaomana" (b. c.1760 - d. 1824)
- Split into two segments (1817-57):
(1)
1817 - 1824
Makaba II a Moleta "Rramaomana" (s.a.)
1824 - 1844
Sebêgô a Makaba (acting)
(b. c.1795 - d. 1844)
1844 - 1857
Senthufe a Sebêgô
(d. 1885)
(2)
1817 - 1823
Tshosaa Makaba
(d. 1823)
1823 - 1845
Segotshane a Makaba (acting) (d. 1885)
1845 - 1857
Gaseitsiwe a Tshosa
(b. 1810/20 - d. 1889)
- reunited -
1857 - Jul 1889
Gaseitsiwe a Tshosa
(s.a.)
1889 - 1 Jul 1910
Bathoen I a Gaseitsiwe
(b. 1845 - d. 1910)
1910 - 1916
Seêpapitsô III a Bathoen
(b. 1884 - d. 1916)
1916 - 1918
Kgosimotse a Gaseitsiwe (acting) (d. 1918)
1918 - 1919
Malope a Makaba (acting)
(d. 1919)
1919 - 1923
Tshosa Sebêgô a Keemanao (acting)
1923 - 1924
Gagoangwe a Setshele (f) (acting) (b. 1848 - d. 1924)
1924 - 1928
Ntebogang a Bathoen (f) (acting) (b. 1882 - d. 1975)
1928 - 1 Jul 1969
Bathoen II a Seêpapitsô
(b. 1908 - d. 1969)
(Bathoen Seepapitso Gaseitsiwe)
1969 - 1973
Seêpapitsô IV a Bathoen (1st time) (b. 1934)
(Seepapitso Bathoen Gaseitsiwe)
1973 - 19..
Mookgami a Seêpapitsô (acting)
(Mookgami Gaseitsiwe)
19.. - ....
Seêpapitsô IV a Bathoen (2nd time) (s.a.)
(Seepapitso Bathoen Gaseitsiwe)
2000 - 22 Apr 2003
Seatla Gaseitsiwe (acting)
(b. 19.. - d. 2003)
2003 - 1 Sep 2004
Kgabosetso II Mosielele (acting)
bamaNgwato
c.1610
bamaNgwato tribe established.
1780
bamaNgwato established in their permanent territory.
23 Mar 1885
British protectorate (as part of Bechuanaland).
1899
Bamangawato reserve created.
30 Sep 1966
Part of independent Republic of Botswana.
Note: Bangwato currently preferred form, replacing bamaNgwato.
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
... - ....
Seogola
... - ....
Madirana
c.1710
Kesitihoe
.... - ....
Makgasama
.... - c.1770
Molete
c.1770 - c.1780
Mokgadi
(d. c.1780)
1780 - 1795
Mathiba a Moleta
(b. c.1755/60 - d. 1795)
1795 - 1817
Kgama I a Mathiba
(b. c.1775/80 - d. 1817)
1817 - 1828
Kgari a Kgama "Pebane"
(b. c.1790 - d. 1828)
1828 - 1833
Sedimo a Molosiwa -Regent
(d. 1833)
1833 - 1835
Khama II a Kgari
(d. 1835)
1835 - 1857
Sekgoma I a Kgari "Mnaphiri" (b. c.1815
- d. 1883)
(1st time)
1857 - 1859
Matsheng a Kgari (1st time) (b.
c.1830 - d. 1873)
1859 - 1866
Sekgoma I a Kgari "Mnaphiri" (s.a.)
(2nd time)
1866 - 1872
Matsheng a Kgari (2nd time) (s.a.)
1872 - 1873
Kgama III Boikanyo a Sekgoma (b. 1837
- d. 1923)
(Khama) (1st time)
1873 - 1875
Sekgoma I a Kgari "Mnaphiri" (s.a.)
(3rd time)
1875 - 21 Feb 1923
Kgama III Boikanyo a Sekgoma (s.a.)
(Khama) (2nd time)
21 Feb 1923 - 17 Nov 1925 Sekgoma II a Kgama "Leraraetsa"
(b. 1869 - d. 1925)
17 Nov 1925 - 19 Jan 1926 Gorewang a Kgamane
(chairman Council of Regency)
19 Jan 1926 - 14 Sep 1933 Tshêkêdi a Kgama -Regent
(b. 1905 - d. 1959)
(Tshekedi Khama)(1st time)
Sep 1933 - 4 Oct 1933 Serogola a
Gagoitsege
(acting regent)
4 Oct 1933 - 23 Jun 1949 Tshêkêdi a Kgama
-Regent
(s.a.)
(Tshekedi Khama)(2nd time)
23 Jun 1949 - 8 Mar 1950 Sêrêtsê
a Sekgoma a Kgama
(Seretse Khama)
(b. 1921 - d. 1980)
(not recognized by protectorate authority;
renounced claim 26 Sep 1956)
13 Mar 1950 - 26 May 1952 Keabôka Kgamane
("African Authority")
13 May 1953 - May 1964 Rrasebolai a Gorewang
"George" (b. 1907 - d. 1973)
(Rasebolai Khamane)
("African Authority")
May 1964 - 1974
Leeapeetswe a Tshêkêdi
(b. 1939 - d. 1987)
("Tribal Authority" to 1969)
1974 - 1979
Mokgatsha Mokgadi
("Tribal Authority")
5 May 1979 -
Ian a Sêrêtsê (Iam Khama}
(b. 1953)
baTawana (Ngamiland)
1795
baTawana tribe established.
23 Mar 1885
British protectorate (as part of Bechuanaland).
1899
Batawana reserve created.
30 Sep 1966
Part of independent Republic of Botswana.
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
1795 - 1820
Tawana I a Mathiba "Mpuru"
(d. c.1820)
1820 - 1828
Morêmi I a Tawana
(d. 1828)
1828 - 1840
Sedumedi a Morêmi (acting)
1840 - 1847
Mogalakwe a Tawana (acting)
1847 - 1874
Letsholathêbê I a Morêmi
(b. c.1820 - d. 1874)
1875 - 1876
Mênô a Moremi (acting)
1876
Dithapô a Mênô (1st time) (acting)
1876 - 4 Nov 1890
Morêmi II a Letsholathêbê
(b. 1852/55 - d. 1890)
1890 - 1891
Dithapô a Mênô (2nd time) (acting)
1891 - 1906
Sekgoma a Letsholathêbê
(b. 1870 - d. 1914)
(acting; pretends to be kgôsikgolo)
1906
Sekgathôlê a Letsholathêbê
(acting)
1906 - 1932
Mathiba a Morêmi
(b. 1880 - d. 1933)
1932 - 1934
Monaamaburu a Letsholathêbê
(acting)
1934 - 1936
Dibolayang a Weetshoetsile
(acting)
1936 - 1937
Gaetsalwe a Morêmi (acting)
1937 - 1946
Morêmi III a Mathiba "Mawelawela" (b. 1915 - d. 1946)
1947 - 1958
Elizabeth Pulane Seeco (f)
(b. 1912 - d. 1981)
(Pulane Moremi) (acting)
1958 - 1981
Letsholathêbê II a Morêmi
(b. 1940 - d. 1981)
1981 - 1995
Mathiba a Morêmi (acting)
1995 - 28 Jan 2004 Tawana
II a Letsholathêbê
(b. 1970?)
28 Jan 2004 - Kealitile Moremi (acting)
baKgatla
c.1470
baKgatla bagaKgafêla segment separated from rest of tribe.
23 Mar 1885
British protectorate (as part of Bechuanaland).
30 Sep 1966
Part of independent Republic of Botswana.
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
.... - c.1700
Mare
c.1700
Modimokwana
.... - c.1770
Kgwêfane
(d. c.1770)
c.1770 - c.1790
Molefê I a Kgwêfane
(d. c.1790)
c.1790 - c.1795
Mmakgotso a Kgwêfane (acting)
c.1795 - c.1810
Phetô II Ramphojane a Molefê
(d. c.1810)
c.1810 - c.1815
Senwêlô a Molefê II (1st time)
(acting)
c.1815 - c.1820
Letsêbê a Phetô (acting)
(d. c.1820)
c.1820 - 1821
Senwêlô a Molefê II (2nd time)
(acting)
1821 - 1824
Motlotle a Molefê (acting)
1824 - 1853
Pilane a Phetô
(b. c.1790 - d. 1853?)
1833
Kgotlamaswê a Phetô
(in rebellion)
1853 - May 1875
Kgamanyane a Pilane
(b. 1820/25 - d. 1875)
May 1875 - 1876
Bogatsu a Pilane (acting)
1876 - 25 Oct 1924
Lentswe I a Kgamanyane
(b. c.1857 - d. 1924)
1924 - 1929
Isang a Lentswe (Isang Pilani) (b. c.1885 - d.
1941)
(acting)(regent 1920 - 1924)
1929 - 1936
Molefi a Kgafêla (Molefi Pilane) (b. 1909 - d. 1958)
(1st time)
1936 - 1942
Mmusi a Kgafêla (Mmusi Pilane)
(b. 1915 - d. 2006)
(1st time)(acting)
1942 - 1945
Council of Regency
- Bakgatla a Letswe
- Molefi a Segale
- Amos Kgamanyane a Mogale
(b. 1888 - d. 1984)
1945 - 1958
Molefi a Kgafêla (Molefi Pilane) (s.a.)
(2nd time)
1958 - 1963
Mmusi a Kgafêla (2nd time)
(s.a.)
(acting)
6 Apr 1963 - 21 Aug 2007 Lentswe II a Molefi
(b. 1932 - d. 2007)
(Linchwe Molefi Kgafela)
1969 - 1972
Mmusi a Kgafêla (3rd time)
(s.a.)
(acting)
21 Aug 2007 - 20 Sep 2008 Mothibe Linchwe (acting)
20 Sep 2008 -
Kgafela II
(b. 1971)
baLete
c.1470
baLete (baMalete) tribe established.
c.1780 baLete (baMalete) established in their permanent territory.
23 Mar 1885
British protectorate (as part of Bechuanaland).
1909
Bamalete reserve created.
30 Sep 1966
Part of independent Republic of Botswana.
Note: Balete currently preferred form, replacing baMalete.
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
.... - c.1700
Kgomo
c.1700
Mokgwa
.... - ....
Marumo
.... - c.1780
Pôwê I a Marumo
c.1780 - c.1805
Mokgôjwe a Pôwê (acting)
c.1805 - c.1830
Pôwê II a Mokgôjwe
(d. c.1830)
c.1830 - 1886
Mokgôsi I a Pôwê
(d. 1886)
1886 - 1896
Ikaneng a Mokgôsi
(d. 1896)
1896 - 1906
Mokgôsi II a Ikaneng
(d. 1906)
1906 - 1917
Baitlotle a Ikaneng (acting)
1917 - 1937
Seboko I a Mokgôsi
(d. 1937)
1937 - 1945
Ketswerebothata a Mokgôsi (acting)
1945 - 1966
Mokgôsi III a Seboko
(b. 1920 - d. 1966)
1966 - 1996
Kelemogile a Seboko (acting)
(Kelemogile Mokgosi)
1 Jun 1996 - 21 Jun 2001 Seboko II a Mokgôsi
(b. 1959 - d. 2001)
21 Jun 2001 - 7 Jan 2002 Tumelo a Seboko (acting)
7 Jan 2002 -
Mosadi a Mokgôsi (f)
(b. 1950)
(Mosadi Muriel Seboko)
baTlôkwa
c.1660
baTlôkwa tribe established.
23 Mar 1885
British protectorate (as part of Bechuanaland).
1933
baTlokwa reserve created.
30 Sep 1966
Part of independent Republic of Botswana.
Chiefs (title Kgôsi)
c.1680 - c.1700
Mosime
c.1700 - c.1730
Mothubane
c.1730 - c.1750
Mokgwa
c.1750 - c.1770
Taukbong
c.1770 - c.1780
Makabe
c.1780 - c.1815
Bogatsu a Makaba
(d. c.1815)
c.1815 - 1823
Kgosi I a Bogatsu
1823 - 1826
Lesagê a Kgosi (acting)
(d. c.1851)
1826 - 1835
Bashê a Kgosi (acting)
(d. 1835)
1835 - 1880
Matlapeng Ramoswana a Kgosi (d.
1880)
1880 - 1931
Gaborone a Matlapeng
(b. c.1825 - d. 1931)
1931 - 1948
Matlala a Molefê a Gaborone
(d. 1948)
1948 - 1973
Kgosi II a Matlala
(b. 1905 - d. 1973)
(Kgosi Matlala Gaborone)
1973 - 1975
Kema (Kema Gaborone) (acting)
1975 - 1989
Monare Gaborone (acting)
1989 - 31 Oct 2005
Moshibidu Gaborone
(b. 1943 - d. 2005)
31 Oct 2005 - 30 May 2006 Michael Gaborone (acting)
30 May 2006 -
Puso Gaborone
(b. 1974?)
©2000 Ben Cahoon
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