Makalaka is a general designation used by the Bechuana, Matabele, and kindred peoples, for other conquered or enslaved tribes. Thus, many of the tribes subjugated by the Kololo chief Sebetwane circa 1830 were called Makalaka.
By 1911 the name was more frequently used to designate the Makalanga, one of the peoples mistakenly classed as Shonas, who were brought into subjection by the Matabele.