Son of the soil defies outpours
Mpho Tlale | Monday March 3, 2014 16:09
The organisers showed determination on their side as men and women prepared and cooked food in open fires under the drizzle Patrons on the other hand did not disappoint as they took the ‘come rain or shine’ saying to the extreme by gracing the event in large numbers clad in outfits that go with the cultural SOTS theme.This year marked the annual SOTS festival’s 10 years of being in existence and it took place with a jubilant celebratory mood.
It still remains to be decided whether it was the P75,000 cash injection into the event by Brand Botswana or the change in venue of the event from Masimo Getaway to Boetelo Farms in Notwane that made it such a hit. The organisers’ determination and commitment can also be added to the equation as it cannot go unnoticed.
As compared to the previous two years, the event this year had such a high charged energy and some changes. This year the festival has shown growth beyond Botswana’s borders as it had people from Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa coming to appreciate Setswana culture .
In their statement on Friday while receiving their Brand Botswana sponsorship, SOTS organisers said that at the rate which the event is growing, they are targeting an outside audience as well to come and experience what Setswana culture is all about. They stated that the Setswana culture has different aspects to it such as dress, music, dance and food all of which makes it unique and can be attractive to people who are not familiar with it.
In terms of change, another visible development that could not go unnoticed is the African print otherwise known as Ankara fabric that gave the German print a run for its money. Ankara proved to be a favourite among women as only a handful had their designed outfits made from the German print that has for the longest time been a source of Batswana women’s identity when it comes to attending any function.
The dress code is one of the vital SOTS requirements that patrons have for years been encouraged to make an effort in to fit with the cultural theme. While the women were outstanding in their tailor designed Ankara outfits, men adhered to the theme as well. Most of them brought sexy back with their leopard print vests that have made a massive comeback as far as the male fashion sense is concerned
Apart from the revved up dress code, this time around people also participated in the games that were being played. The skipping rope and safe kept people entertained in a build up to the choir competition that has to date retained its spot as the people’s favourite .
As has become the norm for the past four years or so, the only change that did not happen was the issue of the Southerners versus the Northerners. Despite the visible improvement in composing songs and choreography the North choir once again lost to the South choir amid the stiff competition and them raising the bar.
After the North had licked their loss wounds and the South had come to terms with their victory, a number of bonfires were lit around the venue to warm the crowd. However most important was the gathering of everyone around the main bonfire for an interactive session of riddles among the patrons as some posed them and others interpreted to the best of their knowledge of what the riddles meant .
As part of Setswana culture, the evening time back then offered grandparents a chance to sit around the fire with their grandchildren over a session of story telling, posing riddles and just bonding over such activities.
This year it is worth noting that SOTS had gone out of their way to mark their 10th anniversary in style. Normally the event takes place for only one day but this year it took place over a period of three days.
Friday started with an evening session of healing dances done by the Ju/hoansi tribe. Saturday maintained its usual proceeding of serving traditional food and playing games amongst other things.The last day which is Sunday was a relaxed day of jazz sounds to seal the event.