Bakgatla bagaMmanaana History

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The Bakgatla bagaMmanaana are the only branch of the Bakgatla who reside almost exclusively inside Botswana. BagaMmanaana dikgosi, who all trace their descent from great nineteenth century Kgosi Mosielele I, are the traditional authorities of Mosopa, Thamaga and Gamafikana. Past colonial era censuses indicate that up to 5% of Botswana's citizens owe traditional allegiance to the Bo-Mosielele dynasty, making the BagaMmanaana one of the country's larger morafe.

BagaMmanaana history has been characterized by a persistent quest for a place of their own since their split with the Bakgatla bagaKgafela by the mid-seventeenth century. According to some oral traditions this secession was precipitated by the refusal of three dikgotla led by dikgosana Kgatle, Kalaota and Sua, to accept a female regent following the death of the BagaKgafela Kgosi Mokopu aTshukudu.