AFRIKAANS: Die etno-historiese agtergrond van Suid-Sothosprekende plaasarbeiders in die Noord-Vrystaat word aan die hand van die erkenning van totemsenioriteit in die inisiasieskole, verduidelik. Uit die frekwensie waarin familiename wat aan ou stamverbande verbind kan word, voorkom, word die historiese skakelbaarheid van hierdie werkers aangedui. Die sosio-kulturele skakelingsverbande van plaasarbeiders word per kultuurfaset uiteengesit. Gegewens wat in die veld versamel is, word deurlopend met verbandhoudende literatuur vergelyk. Uit die gegewens van hierdie ondersoek blyk dat skakeling van plaasarbeiders meesal tot die lapa (gesinsverband) beperk is. Alhoewel daar 'n verindividualiseringsproses by hierdie mense aan die gang is, word sommige tradisionele sosio-kulturele skakelingstrukture steeds in stand gehou. Uit 'n samevatting van die belangrikste bevindings ten opsigte van bestaande sosio-kulturele skakelingsvlakke, word voorstelle ten opsigte van die rigting van toekomstige beplanning gemaak. ENGLISH: The ethno-historic background of the South-Sothospeaking farm labourers in the Northern Free State is explained according to the acknowledgement of the totem seniority in the initiation schools. From the frequency in which family names, which can be traced back to old tribes, occur, the historical affiliations of these people are indicated. The socio-cultural relations of farm workers are explained according to different cultural aspects. The information gathered during field research, is compared continuously with the corresponding literature. From the data of this research it is apparant that relations of farm workers are restricted to the lapa (household). Although a process of individualisation is taking place, traditional, socio-cultural, structural relations are still maintained. In the summary of the most important findings of existing socio-cultural relations of farm workers, recommendations in respect of the direction for future planning are made. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Anthropology and Archaeology / unrestricted