HISTORY OF THE BAROTZI VALLEY 403 
Sekeletu, his only son, then a man of about thirty years old, 
succeeded as ruler of the country, and, imbued with the warlike 
spirit of his great father, waged war against the Batauwana under 
Letchulatebe, who had meanwhile attained his kingdom with his 
majority, incensed because the latter would not recognise him as 
paramount chief over the Lake District and grant him the usual 
tribute demanded in recognition of his supremacy. He succeeded 
in raiding many cattle, but returned without any other decided 
result from Lake Ngami, and now sought to subjugate the Damaras 
on the west. Meeting with severe opposition from the warlike 
Damaras, Sekeletu was glad to return to Linyanti with such cattle 
as he could raid on the route. 
For a complete history of Sekeletu’s doings, I must refer the reader 
to the work of his friend, Dr. Livingstone, as Westbeech could only 
give me these outlines of Sekeletu’s reign. 
One strong feature of the Basuto occupation is that they left their 
language behind them, and it is owing to this fact that Livingstone, 
who was qualified in the Basuto language, gained so much influence 
amongst the Barotzi. 
Sekeletu was killed by a fall from his horse, and there being no 
direct legitimate successsor at his death, Sekeletu’s throne was claimed 
by Mbololo, his uncle. The Makololo, however, were dissatisfied with 
this, as Mbololo was disliked and feared for his cruelty and tyrannical 
ways. But taking advantage, of some dissensions amongst the 
Makololo, Mbololo collected all his hangers-on and swooped down 
on his enemies, killing all who were unfavourable to him with assegai 
and kerrie (knobsticks). The Barotzi people, Batokas and others, 
seeking now to free themselves from the oppressive yoke of Makololo 
rule, united against Mbololo and killed him and his people in battle, 
following up their success by an onslaught on the remaining Makololo, 
whom they drove southward over the Ohobe, seizing all the women, 
children, and cattle left by the fleeing Makololo. By common consent 
Sepopo, a Barotzi (Martotzi), son of Maritela, the original king before 
Sibotwana invaded the land, was established king of the Barotzi in 
Linyanti, firmly supported by the chiefs Silumba, Mashoan, Mevala, 
and other influential Barotzi chiefs, and also by the Bakota people, who 
were headed by their former chief Sipatwanyana. This took place 
about 1862-1863. 
Recognised king, Sepopo now visited the towns his father formerly 
occupied on the Zambesi, Naliele, Libonda, Nalolo, and other places, 
murdering his three brothers whom he had gdne to seek, to put 
them out of the way as possible claimants to the throne. He also 
demanded the continuance of tribute from Sipatwanyana, the Batoka 
