Sedadama's kingdom reaches a savage chapter
Thalefang Charles | Friday December 11, 2020 13:25
The last time something extraordinary happened here was in 2011 when the Savuti channel was flooding after a long period of dryness. But guides in the Savuti are adamant, saying they had a sense that something was about to happen.
Throughout the years, events of Savuti have made amazing legends that were told to the world through incredible nature documentaries. From the intermittent flooding of the mystic Savuti Channel to the unbelievable fishing leopards and extremely successful pride of lions, Savuti, is a place of wonder. Located on the western-end of Chobe Game Reserve, on the flood plains of the endless marsh, overlooked by a white sand ridge, dotted with small hills, this is a place of remarkable legends.
The marsh is where the river, during the years that it magically floods, empties the waters from Kwando and Linyanti. These are the floodplains of the nutritious grasslands that feed hundreds of thousands of migrating zebras, wildebeests, kudus, impalas, warthogs and incredible birdlife. There are so many Kori Bustards – Botswana’s National Bird – and other families of large birds, including marabou storks, cranes, eagles, secretary birds and ostriches.
Large herds of elephants, buffalos, and giraffes are all found in Savuti. And with all that plentiful game, the place attracts lots of predators. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas and wild dogs roam the place.
Back in the 1980s, the Savuti Marsh pride of lions earned worldwide fame because of their ability to hunt elephants. The 1980s vicious pride boasted of more than 40 lions. It had some of the world’s most wild efficient killing machines. But one day the kingdom crumbled.
Belmond guides, the legendary Maiterelo ‘Maighty’ Jaoline, 57, and Richard Sepopo, 40, were there when the deadly attack of the Marsh Pride happened. Many years later, it is still a story that they tell with some wonder, saying they still have never seen anything like that.
Jaoline said one day five big male lions, still in their prime, arrived in Savuti. A leader amongst them was a cute giant lion with a stunning mane. They called it Sedadama – which means a mane in Seyei. This is the name that nature television documentary, Savage Kingdom bastardised and said it was ‘Sesekama’ (ironically almost sounding like Seretse Khama – the first ‘big lion’).
In a single day and night Sedadama and his invading brothers took power in Savuti in a deadly fight that left many lions dead. All the cubs and strangely one female were brutally eliminated.
“E ne e le lantha re bona ditau tse ditonanyana di bolaa tse di namagadi,” (It was our first time to see male lions killing a female),” Jaoline said.
Sepopo said it was a scene that he will never forget, adding: “Some tourists were so shocked and fearful that they had to ask to be taken to the safety of the camp because it was a terrifying fight to witness.
“Even for me as a safari guide, I had never seen anything like it.”
Sedadama and his terrific brother named Torn Nose (because of the distinct scar on the nose) then mated with the surviving females to sow their legacy and blood in Savuti. The guides said three of Sedadama’s brothers later moved on to Khwai leaving only two dominant males in Savuti. When the pride increased, three of Sedadama’s sons crossed over to the north of the river to form the Northern Pride because in savage lion life, a male lion must leave its pride when it reaches a certain age or risk being killed. Also the reign of an old male lion is often violently terminated by other young agile males.
At the moment, Sedadama and his brother Torn Nose are old and losing the vicious strength that helped them grip onto power over the Marsh Pride for years. According to another Belmond guide, Rebonye Obonye, there are about 31 lions on the main marsh pride.
Within the main marsh pride there is a growing male lion called Skoti, named so because of its snip tail. Skoti has attracted the attention of the followers of Marsh Pride because he has reached an age that he must leave the pride to go off and start one of his own.
Interestingly, Skoti is still occasionally sighted within the marsh pride, together with their savage fathers, Sedadama and Torn Nose. Guides say Skoti is much closer to Torn Nose than Sedadama and some feel that he could survive the pride.
Some guides are, however, concerned about Skoti’s future because he does not have a mate to coup any pride. His brothers up north, with a pride of more than 15 lions, do not want him near their women and kills. Apparently, Skoti has already had two bouts of battles this year with his Northern brothers and is reportedly as fierce as his brutal father, Sedadama.
Jaoline said he is concerned about the young lion, while Obonye on the other hand believes the old timers in the Marsh Pride now need him more than ever to fight any invasion since they are getting too old. Skoti’s future hangs in the balance. Last week he was sighted alone by other guides but proved too elusive for us. We left Savuti with only a trail to his name but no lion.
The guides say there are a number of possible scenarios that could soon unfold with the Savuti lion prides.
“The three males of the Northern Pride could cross back to their old home and execute a coup of their father’s kingdom,” Jaoline said.
Others believe Skoti could assist his fathers to resist any foreign attack because the old timers need more agile muscle to defend their kingdom. But one thing is certain age is not on the side of Sedadama and Torn Nose as neither is their strength. All this means the twin lion kings are entering a very dangerous chapter in the life of a lion.
*Thalefang Charles was a guest of Belmond Safaris and stayed at Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge.