Molomo cultural ceremony showcases Batlokwa's way of celebrating harvest
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday June 17, 2025 12:15
Molomo also known in other cultures as Dikgafela is a ceremony done every season of harvest to thank God, ancestors and Kgosi (chief) for a successful harvest.This is done by the community who take part of their harvest to their royal leader so that he and his family can eat whilst also feeding the underprivileged members of the community. Some of the harvest is stored for future use more especially during drought.
Dressed in all blue skirts, matching shawls known as megalolwane (checked blankets worn by women in Botswana at various traditional ceremonies including weddings) and head scarfs Batlokwa painted the Kgotla blue as they prepared to present their harvest before Kgosi Puso Gaborone and his wife. The men opted for earth colour outfits.
During the ceremony, women and men from different wards in Tlokweng presented their harvest before their Kgosi and later went on to give it to their queen (Mmakgosi) who was accompanied by other women from the royal family. They carried some of the harvest such as maize, sorghum, beans and others in weaved baskets and watermelons on their heads, singing and reciting poetry. They were accompanied by headmen who presented the harvest to their Kgosi.
After being shown the harvest, Kgosi who was also accompanied by a few men at the Kgotla told them to take the harvest to the queen. The queen was given the harvest and told to store it and use the harvest to assist those in need to feed their families. She accepted the harvest and promised to feed underprivileged members of community.
However, when presenting the harvest, the headmen told the Kgosi Gaborone about the challenges they face. He pointed out that they were negatively affected by heavy rainfalls that killed their crops.
Some brought traditional beer made of sorghum to Kgosi Gaborone who had the first sip and spilled some on the ground as a way of sharing it with the ancestors and thanking them for a good harvest. He then gave it to his tribesmen to also drink.