Bogwera Record Turn-Out For

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Monday June 29, 2009 00:00

 

The massive turn-out came a week after Kgafela  II presided over another record breaking attendance of bojale (female initiation practise) by Bakgatla women. Before the initiation rituals were abandoned 20 years ago, the highest number recorded was around 1,200. Last Saturday, a multitude of initiates from Kgatleng District gathered outside Mochudi at a place called Motlhware, before taking the estimated 50km walk on a dusty road northward to a place called Mmakgomo for an overnight stop. Among them was Kgafela II's eldest son and future paramount chief, Matshego.

As per Bakgatla tradition, the conscripts wore shorts and put on shoes without socks. Their cell phones were taken from them and switched off so that they are not tempted to use the latest technology and transmit bogwera information to outsiders. Tribal sources say that yesterday the initiates proceeded to the ultimate camp at Mokorwana near Dibete. The place is said to be teeming with wild animals.

At Mokorwana Bakgatla regiments practised hunting wild animals for meat and for use as regimental gear. After they set out last Saturday, the Bakgatla initiates were trailed by over 60 vehicles - vans, tractors pulling wagons, and trucks loaded with pots, water, foodstuff and clothes.

The Kgatleng District Council and the government made vehicles available to transport goods and personnel for the ceremony. The Bakgatla men will spend a month out in the bush for the initiation, although there is a special arrangement for schoolboys and workers. Employees and schoolboys will only be in the bush on weekends. Last Saturday, the conscripts who knocked off late from their work places were ferried by vehicles to join others at the overnight stop in Mmakgomo.