Bakgatla Bojale Crowned Madisakgosi

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Monday June 22, 2009 00:00

 

Bakgatla King, Kgafela II, who was installed last year, named the women's only regiment -bojale - 'Madisakgosi'.

There was cheering and ululation among the tribal women, mostly the initiated, who gathered in thousands at the main Kgotla, as word reached them ahead of everyone that the Kgosikgolo has named the new regiment, Madisakgosi.

In traditional Bakgatla style, the new regiment waited inside the royal kraal before their anointment. In a dramatic sketch, two women regiments staged a fight with tree branches as the new regiment sneaked into the kraal.

Then Kgosi Kgafela II, accompanied by the top five chiefs in the Mochudi Kgotla, his lieutenants, as well as Kgosi Nyalala Pilane of Moruleng, walked to the kraal to inspect the women. He must have said something soothing.

A loud cheer came out of the kraal. Another louder cheer was heard again. Then word passed around the seated women belonging to various regiments that the new regiment has been named, Madisakgosi. The announcement was met with ululation among the women as they held branches high in celebration.

There was more drama as the new regiment came out of the kraal, arranged according to tribal lineage. They had gathered from all over the Bakgatla district.  They raised dust as they sang and danced in front of the Kgosikgolo for a long time.

The older regiments were impressed by the vibrancy of the youth as they applauded their grace and energy.

The 2009 Bojale parade is considered the longest in the history of Bakgatla. According to traditionalists in Mochudi, usually the Bojale, or women initiation is never a big event in the Bakgatla tradition.

They usually arrive early in the morning at the Kgotla, and by 8:30am they disperse.

This Bojale arrived at the Kgotla after 9am. The women walked majestically and slowly singing and dancing to their songs. It was a spectacle that attracted hundreds of the villagers to follow them to the Kgotla.

Not this time. It was broadcast live on RB1 with female journalists doing their best to report the details even though they were barred from going to the sacred kraal.

Bakgatla Kgosikgolo announced that this is one way of commercialising their culture. Two ministers attended. The minister of culture, Gladys Kokorwe, also a Mokgatla from Thamaga and Keletso Rakhudu, the Assistant Minister of Finance and Development Planning, represented the government.

Bakgatla authority in South Africa, Nyalala Pilane, and his wife were also at the graduation with Kgosi Mosielele, a Mokgatla from Moshupa.