Why are the Tswana the dominant ethnic group in Botswana?

The dominance of the Tswana in Botswana is rooted in the historical expansion of eight Tswana states that governed most of the region during the 19th century. These states, such as the Ngwaketse, Ngwato, and Tawana, established power by controlling resources like cattle, hunting, and copper production, often incorporating surrounding groups into their social and political structures.12

Under British colonial rule, these states were officially designated as "tribes," a classification that solidified their administrative and social influence. This process of "Tswanadom" led to the widespread integration of other ethnic identities, such as the Khalagari, who became so closely associated with the Tswana that they are now often indistinguishable.1

Today, the Tswana comprise approximately two-thirds of the population. Furthermore, the national identity of the country is inclusive; the entire population is referred to as Batswana, regardless of their specific ethnic origin, reflecting a unified national identity that transcends individual tribal affiliations.1