The forgotten history of Ba-dimo

When we talk of 'gods' now, we are, as far as science and history is concerned, deemed to be only taking tsie-badimo (literally: locust-gods)! We are about to find out the most probable source for this very interesting expression.  In Botswana, and elsewhere in Africa, belief in 'gods', although somewhat disguised, still persists.

What nowadays could have led to a shame-faced, almost apologetic approach when, for example, traditional rituals need to be done?  The advent of Christianity with British colonialism was surely the turning point. An unwillingness to abandon the old way of doing things is what led traditionalist chiefs like Sebele I to be ousted by the British colonial government. On the other hand, converted chiefs like Kgari Sechele and Khama the Great were magnified in status.