The Bamangwato (more correctly BagammaNgwato, also BaNgwato) can be said to be one of the eight "principal" Tswana chieftaincies of Botswana, and just like any other Tswana chieftaincy in Botswana, constitutes a small percent in the central district, even in their capital Serowe.

They rule over majority Bakalanga, (the largest ethnic group in Central District) and others such as the Basarwa, Birwa and Tswapong.

Modern Bamangwato forms in the Central District, with its main town and capital (after 1902) at Serowe.