Sebirwa and Setswapong are listed as separate languages among the
28 languages of Botswana (Batibo, Mathangwane & Tsonope, 2003).1
Their
status as two separate languages, or even as distinct dialects, has long been
contested, mainly because of their history and degree of linguistic affinity to
the rest of the Sotho-Tswana cluster (Anderson & Janson, 1977).
There are mainly three hypotheses about the linguistic and cultural
affiliation of these communities. One is that the two communities should be
regarded as speaking closely related dialects of Sepedi (Northern Sotho) on
historical as well as linguistic and cultural grounds (Anderson & Janson,
1977). The second position is that the two communities should be considered
as speaking closely related dialects of Setswana, on cultural grounds and
recent common linguistic developments (Thaelo, 1997). While the third
hypothesis is that the two communities should be regarded as distinct
linguistic and cultural entities, each having its own specific characteristics
(Batibo, 1998; Batibo et al., 2003; Ehret, 1972). The aim of this paper is to
contribute to this debate by making a comprehensive investigation of both
linguistic and cultural data so as to establish the linguistic and cultural status
of the two communities.2
Both Sebirwa and Setswapong have emerged out of complex
historical developments. These developments have given rise to many
linguistic and cultural overlaps not only between the two entities but also
with the other linguistic groups with which they are contiguous, namely the
Batswana (especially the Bangwato), the Bapedi, the Bashona, the Bavenda,
the Bakalanga, the Amandebele and others.