Pedi people

Pedi people

Bapedi
Pedi living culture route Limpopo, South Africa
Total population
7,004,000[1]
Regions with significant populations
South Africa	4,618,576 (9.1% of population)
Botswana	14,000
Languages
First language Pedi Second language English, Afrikaans, other South African Bantu languages
Religion
Christianity, African traditional religion
Related ethnic groups
Lobedu people, Sotho people, Tswana people, Pulana people, Lozi people, Kgalagadi people, Tlôkwa people, and other Sotho-Tswana peoples

The Pedi /pɛdi/ or Bapedi /bæˈpɛdi/, also known as the Sotho, Basotho,^[2] Northern Sotho, Basotho ba Lebowa,^[3] Transvaal Sotho,^[4] Marota, or Dikgoshi.

^[5] are a Sotho-Tswana ethnic group native to South Africa and Botswana that speak Pedi or Sepedi,^[6] which is one of the 12 official languages in South Africa.^[7] They are primarily situated in Limpopo, Gauteng and northern Mpumalanga.^[8]

The Pedi people are part of the Bantu ethnic group. Their common ancestors, along with the Sotho and Tswana, migrated from East Africa to South Africa no later than the 7th century CE. Over time, they emerged as a distinct people between the 15th and 18th centuries, with some settling in the northern region of the Transvaal. The Pedi maintained close ties with their relatives and neighboring tribes.^[9]

Towards the end of the 18th century, the primary Pedi state was established, led by supreme leaders from the Maroteng clan. In the early 19th century, the Pedi state faced significant challenges from the Nguni, particularly the Northern Ndebele under Mzilikazi^[10] and the Swati. A pivotal figure in preserving the Pedi state was Sekwati I^[11](1827–1861), the paramount leader who introduced reforms in the military and internal administration and welcomed Christian missionaries.

After Sekwati I's passing, his son Sekhukhune took control but reversed some reforms, including Christianization. From 1876 to 1879, the Pedi engaged in wars with the Boers and the British, resulting in defeat and the Pedi state falling under Boer influence. In 1882, Sekhukhune was assassinated by conspirators, leading to the dismantling of the monarchy and statehood. In 1885, the Transvaal government only allocated a small territory to the Pedi, with the majority of the people living outside of it.

In the 1950s, the Sotho language committee recognized the Pedi language as distinct from Sesotho.

Throughout history, the Pedi actively participated in the struggle against colonization and apartheid in South Africa, joining the broader movement of African peoples fighting for their rights and freedom.