Bakoena, or Bakwena, is one of the main Sotho-Tswana clans, they are found in three countries namely South Africa, Lesotho & Botswana. They are found in all the three Sotho-Tswana language groupings. The main sub-clans of the Bakwena are the Bakwena ba Monaheng who kings are the paramount kings of Lesotho and Bakwena ba ga Sechele who are considered the most senior Bakwena clan in the Sotho-Tswana.

"Kwena" is a Sesotho word meaning "crocodile", and this animal is their totem.