Malope
Sotho Tswana · mortal · legendary genealogical · Recorded classification
Eponymous/founding ancestor in Tswana genealogical tradition; the Bakwena, Bakgatla, Bangwato and Bangwaketse trace descent through his sons (each often bearing a clan totem, e.g. Kwena = crocodile). Treated as legendary mortal (royal-ancestor tier); not deified, though such founders feed the badimo cult. No attested personal gear.
Children
Sources
- Malope is the legendary common ancestor (kgosi) from whose house the principal Tswana chiefdoms branched: after his death his children Mohurutshe, Kwena, Kgatla, Ngwato and Ngwaketse founded the Bahurutshe, Bakwena, Bakgatla, Bangwato and Bangwaketse.: Ngcongco, L. (1982). 'Origins of the Tswana', Pula: Botswana Journal of African Studies, 2(1). (reference); Schapera, I. (1952). The Ethnic Composition of Tswana Tribes. London: LSE Monographs on Social Anthropology. (reference)