Batswana on cultural renaissance

Lekopanye Mooketsi | Monday September 22, 2014 16:45

 

The activities range from bogwera, initiation ceremonies and dikgafela, which is an old tradition of celebrating a bumper harvest.  During such celebrations, the importance of culture is always emphasised.  As custodians of culture, traditional leaders, Dikgosi, play a major role in such activities.

 Last month Batlokwa held dikgafela at their headquarters in Tlokweng.  This is an event that Batlokwa have been commemorating for quite some time.

Soon after, Batawana followed with similar commemorations at the Maun Kgotla, something that had not taken place in a long time.

Two weekends back, Bakwena in Molepolole hosted the annual Dithubaruba cultural festival.  The aim of the festival, which was hosted at Ko Ntsweng, was to celebrate Bakwena culture and history.  Since its inception some years, Dithubaruba has been growing by leaps and bounds.  

This was followed by other cultural events that were held by other tribes in the southern part of the country.

In Moshupa, Bakgatla ba ga Manaana also celebrated dikgafela while a similar event was held by the neighbouring Bangwaketse at the Mmakgodumo dam in Kanye on the same day.  Not to be outdone, the people of Kopong also hosted their dikgafela under the theme, ‘Moila dikgafela, polotso letsema ke sikokotelo sa Basiko’. 

Bakgatla ba ga Manaana in Thamaga are also expected to celebrate their culture before the end of the year. Residents of Thamaga have been celebrating this event annually. 

In Gamalete, the tribe has revived bogwera. Bogwera initiates were recently welcomed at the Ramotswa Kgotla after spending time in the bush.    

In the North, Bakalanga will be making a pilgrimage to Domboshaba for the annual Domboshaba festival.

During the commemorations, traditional cultural norms such food, attire, music and even games are promoted. Actually in Setswana, a celebration has to be accompanied by a feast that would include plenty of beef.   

The revival is felt and appreciated by the traditionalists especially.

The representative of the Batawana senior chief, Charles Letsholathebe views the revival as a positive development. He said it was a step in the right direction towards nation building.   Quoting the late Sir Seretse Khama’s words, he said, “a nation without a culture is like a nation without a soul.”

Letsholathebe said it is critical that young people learn about the culture.   In his view the revival of culture can help to curb the social ills that are be-devilling the society.  He said it is only by reviving culture that the nation will be able to preserve its social norms and values.  

Letsholathebe said cultural activities like bogwera said could instil good social values to young people, as they are trained on how to become responsible citizens. 

He said they are doing their part to preserve their culture, citing the recent dikgafela ceremony as an example.  He added that they are intending to host more culture events.  He noted that that next year Maun will celebrate 100 years, which will be a significant event.