From 19th century
From the Vet and Vaal river region through present-day Botswana toward Lake Ngami
The Kololo were a mobile political community formed around Sebetwane from Fokeng Patsa and other displaced Sotho-speaking groups during the Mfecane. After defeat at Dithakong in 1823, they moved northward through Tswana territories, conducting campaigns, capturing cattle, and repeatedly seeking a new homeland. Their history in this excerpt is defined by migration, warfare, shifting alliances, and the difficult reconstruction of political authority after the loss of their original herds.
Continue exploring
The Story
Before the Mfecane, the people who became the Kololo were Bafokeng of the Patsa branch living near Kurutlele mountain on the Vet River. A Tlokwa attack led by Mma-Nthatisi captured nearly all their stock and forced them across the Vaal River. Their numbers increased when another large Bafokeng group joined them, along with smaller Sotho communities fleeing the wars of the Hlubi and Ngwane.
Sebetwane, a prince of the Patsa house, assumed leadership of this combined population. The group moved westward toward Batlhaping territory in search of a new home and replacement cattle. There they encountered the Baphuting and Bahlakwana, and the three groups joined in an attack on the Tlhaping capital of Dithakong on 26 June 1823.
The attack on Dithakong ended in a severe defeat when a mounted force of Griqua gunmen came to the defence of the Tlhaping. The mixed group broke apart, with the Phuthing and Hlakoane moving east while Sebetwane led his followers northward through Barolong country. During subsequent campaigns, Sebetwane is said to have cooperated with Moletsane of the Baung.
The allied forces attacked the Hurutshe capital of Kaditshwene, scattered its inhabitants, and killed the regent Diutlwileng. They then fought the Kgatla-Kgafela near the Api and Crocodile rivers. Mzilikazi’s army attacked them after their campaigns entered territory regarded by the Ndebele as within their sphere, after which Sebetwane and Moletsane separated.
Sebetwane continued against the Kwena and Bangwaketse. The Kololo defeated the Bangwaketse at Iosabanyana in 1824, where their king Makaba II was killed, and occupied Dithubaruba, the former Kwena capital. In 1826, however, a surprise attack by Sebego, son of Makaba II, defeated Sebetwane and expelled the Kololo from the Dithejwane Hills, forcing them to resume their northward travels.
From 19th century
From the Vet and Vaal river region through present-day Botswana toward Lake Ngami
The Kololo were a mobile political community formed around Sebetwane from Fokeng Patsa and other displaced Sotho-speaking groups during the Mfecane. After defeat at Dithakong in 1823, they moved northward through Tswana territories, conducting campaigns, capturing cattle, and repeatedly seeking a new homeland. Their history in this excerpt is defined by migration, warfare, shifting alliances, and the difficult reconstruction of political authority after the loss of their original herds.
Continue exploring
The Story
Before the Mfecane, the people who became the Kololo were Bafokeng of the Patsa branch living near Kurutlele mountain on the Vet River. A Tlokwa attack led by Mma-Nthatisi captured nearly all their stock and forced them across the Vaal River. Their numbers increased when another large Bafokeng group joined them, along with smaller Sotho communities fleeing the wars of the Hlubi and Ngwane.
Sebetwane, a prince of the Patsa house, assumed leadership of this combined population. The group moved westward toward Batlhaping territory in search of a new home and replacement cattle. There they encountered the Baphuting and Bahlakwana, and the three groups joined in an attack on the Tlhaping capital of Dithakong on 26 June 1823.
The attack on Dithakong ended in a severe defeat when a mounted force of Griqua gunmen came to the defence of the Tlhaping. The mixed group broke apart, with the Phuthing and Hlakoane moving east while Sebetwane led his followers northward through Barolong country. During subsequent campaigns, Sebetwane is said to have cooperated with Moletsane of the Baung.
The allied forces attacked the Hurutshe capital of Kaditshwene, scattered its inhabitants, and killed the regent Diutlwileng. They then fought the Kgatla-Kgafela near the Api and Crocodile rivers. Mzilikazi’s army attacked them after their campaigns entered territory regarded by the Ndebele as within their sphere, after which Sebetwane and Moletsane separated.
Sebetwane continued against the Kwena and Bangwaketse. The Kololo defeated the Bangwaketse at Iosabanyana in 1824, where their king Makaba II was killed, and occupied Dithubaruba, the former Kwena capital. In 1826, however, a surprise attack by Sebego, son of Makaba II, defeated Sebetwane and expelled the Kololo from the Dithejwane Hills, forcing them to resume their northward travels.
Continue the journey
Other paths related to this story.