The ancient Barolong totem was Iron which is called Tshipi in Setswana. Kgosi Mor mined iron and turned it into implements for the chase, for the land, and for war. He tr with other nations. Morolong aptly named his son Nöto – the hammer

Sometime later on in history the Barolong adopted the Kudu as a totem. Legend has the change occured during their epic migration from around Central Africa. At some during their journey they encountered desert country and could not find water for Thirsty and on the brink of death, they spotted a herd of kudu and followed it until them to water. In this way they were saved from certain death. In gratitude, they a the kudi as a totem.

All Barolong claims identify with the kudu which is kown as Tholo in Setswana. Iron recogi as an ancient totem and references to it still abound.

Barolong are often referred to as ‘namane tsa tholo’ – ‘the calves of a kudu’