Diboko

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Diboko means clan names in Southern Africa.

Contents 1 Description 2 Clan name from totem 3 Explanation 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Description

In the Southern African Sesotho speaking groups' (Sesotho, Setswana, and Sepedi) traditions, the different tribes identify themselves with certain clans. The groups believe in the existence of the "Invisible One". Ad legend has it, they came out of a marsh called "Nswanatsatsi" which means "the place from where the sun emerges". It was from that marsh that each clan was assigned a totem. Each totem is symbolized by an animal, one that is dignified. Following is a list of several clans and their totems.

[edit] Clan name from totem

(cf. Matsela and Moletsane 1993:7):

• Bakwena - Kwena (crocodile)

• Bafokeng - Phoka (dew), morara (wild vine), mmutla (rabbit)

• Batloung - Tlou (elephant)

• Batshweneng - Tshwene (baboon)

• Bakubung - Kubu (hippopotamus)

• Baphuthing - Phuthi (duiker), lejwe (stone)

• Bafula-kolobeng - Kolobe (wild pig)

• Bahlaping - Tlhapi (fish)

• Banareng - Nare (buffalo)

• Bataung - Tau (lion)

[edit] Explanation

It is worth noticing that the selection of these animals is either one of two things or both: the wildness of these animals and how dignified they seem to the group. This was done to symbolize Molimo oa Khale (God of the Old) – the "Invisible One". It is because of this these totems are sacred.

In the meditation of the spirits of the deceased, they are also believed to give guidance and direction in the groups' under takings and dangers. Unity in this group of people still exists, although the practicing of rituals is not as strict as it used to be. The practicing of different rituals is specific to a clan: all rituals – from marriages, to circumcision, to births and burials. This also happens to be one of the ways in which the clan names are preserved. Another is the naming of children after their predecessors – this was to make sure that the names of each clan are commemorated and kept within each family in each tribe. Basically, it is keeping the clan intact. The Sesotho name for it is "theellano" – naming a child after their grandparents or great-grandparents.

A further important way of keeping the clans in tact was reciting the clan's Seboko (singular form of Diboko). I quote Mr. Raletshabisa Motale, from the village Dikhelekeng, in Butha-Buthe, Lesotho, who has much knowledge of Basotho culture, makes the following verbal addition on the reason behind the need for recitations:

"The recitation of the Seboko(Clan Name) means an identification of a person, a self-explanation according to the one's family from which one descends."

Switching from one Seboko to the other is not an easy task. It only occurred in extreme cases where, for example, a person had to change his identity because he had to flee into another family in a different clan. Another example is when a woman married. An offering had to be made to the Badimo (the spirits of the deceased) and then an acceptance by the Badimo would be given to the one who is switching families.

The reason there are so many clan names is because of the splitting up of groups. Some people wanted independence, and some violated the law so they were forced out. [1]

[edit] References

• Batho Portal, South African Cultures

[edit] External links

• Study South Africa