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The history of Botswana is characterised by migrations
of peoples into the country from the north and west and particularly
from the east and south, as well as internal movements of groups
of people. The group which eventually emerged as most numerous,
and dominant, were the Batswana. Their pattern of dividing and
migrating saw the formation of numerous Tswana tribes, and their
eventual occupation of all areas of the country. The term "Batswana"
refers to the ethnic group of people who speak the Setswana
language and share the Sotho-Tswana culture, while in its common
contemporary usage, it refers to all citizens of the Republic
of Botswana, regardless of their ethnic background. The singular
is Motswana: a citizen of the country.
The San (bushman) and the Khoi (hottentot) were the earliest
inhabitants of Botswana. Some of the rock paintings date back
25000 years. Tsodilo hills is home to more than 4500 paintings and have been proclaimed
as a national heritage site.
About 2000 years ago the Bantu speaking people gradually moved
southwards. They brought the metal working technology with them
to Botswana.1300 AD the bakgalakgadi emerged in South Africa
as separate tribes speaking similar languages. The basuto tribe
migrated south to what is known as Lesotho today and the bakgalgadi
to the eastern and southern fringes of the Kalahari. Population
pressures splintered the Tswana tribe from the original tribe
and were forced to move to ather areas creating new tribes.
Mzilikazi one of shaka zulu's generals fled to north
western Transvaal and Zimbabwe attacking the batswana which
resulted in the dfaquene wars, which further split the tribes.
Missionaries and traders arrived establishing a white population
in Botswana. By 1880 every small village had a missionary followed
by established schools. This was the first sign of disappearance
in cultural customs. The Boers attacked the batswana, mainly
to use them as labour .
The Tswana asked the British empire for protection. At first
the protection was denied, but later after the discovery of
gold in 1866, the protection was granted. On 30 September 1885 Bechuanaland (now Botswana) was declared
a protectorate of the British Empire. Cecil John Rhodes saw
Botswana as a link between South Africa and Zimbabwe.He wanted
to declare Botswana a colony. The tswana kings khama, bathoen,and
schele went to England in 1895 to intervene with theses suggestions
of independent colony. Botswana remained a protectorate for
the next 71 years .
Sir seretse khama was one of main instruments in this event.
After studying law in the uk and marrying a white woman he was
denied access back in Botswana. He was forced to live in exile
in London till returning to botswana in1956. On his return he
became involved with the (BDP) Botswana democratic party.In
1965 the BDP won and seretse was knighted by the queen and became
the first president in September 1966. |
