SOTS: Bigger and spiralling out of control
Thalefang Charles | Tuesday February 3, 2015 18:00
Based on this year’s affair, it appears the soul of the festival, which is participation, is dying. Most of the newcomers to this event probably never got the message that it is a unique participatory cultural event and not a ‘chill session’. Those who were present at Jerry Mwendapole’s house in Tlokweng in January of 2005 reminisced about the first year of the now popular event.
“I recall the first year vividly because it was such an experience, everyone who was present was asked to contribute any kind of cultural food and cook it. The small group was wearing cultural attires like mateise and vests tsa mangau. There were Setswana games during the day and at night mainane and riddles with bonfire,” Sekao Mokola said.
Eleven years later the event, which is hosted by Bana Ba Mmala group, is a huge three-day cultural festival. The riddles, Setswana comedy and story telling around the fire were scheduled for Friday at Three Dikgosi Monument, Gaborone CBD. Even though, the event, which was supposed to start at 7 pm, was free, it flopped because by 9:30 pm there were less than 20 people and no show.
Saturday at Boetelo Resort, Notwane Dam, on the outskirts of Gaborone was where the main event was held, which had entry conditions. Jeans were strictly not allowed and traditional attire (no mention of whose tradition) was preferable. Cooler boxes were to be left in vehicles, and a traditional drinking cup was to be used for all beverages, including non-traditional ones.
When Setswana traditional beer arrived, Sheila Tlou led a group of elderly women, among them Festina Bakwena, in a happy song usually sung at weddings.
Most people came in and ‘chilled’ on their camp chairs and drank bojalwa jwa Setswana. They did not participate in traditional games like koi and mmele.
Most people wanted to be entertained instead of entertaining themselves, as is the case with this event.
The Mogoditshane Senior School Traditional Dance Troupe provided good entertainment. Power-interruptions at the festival caused some slowdowns for the rather uptight crowd. Some people also complained about the food saying there was less variety compared to previous years.
The famous North versus South choir competition saved the day as the rather inebriated crowd finally stood up from their chairs, waved their phafanas high as they competed in this contentious battle. The battle was yet again, won by the South Choir by a whisker.
In the traditional fashion, as evident from last year, leteise is slowly vanishing at the festival making way for African print. Many women are becoming adventurous with their outfits and bright colours are becoming popular. Even the few that were wearing leteise decided to go with unusual bright colours like orange and purple. Botswana’s biggest fashionistas the GaTsh Fros; Gaone Mothibi and Tsholo Dikobe also graced the event in their matching mogagolwane outfits.
At night the African trotting Shumba Ratshega and Nono Siele gave a preview of Sunday’s Jazz session with some exciting traditional Setswana music.
The event was held under the theme, ‘Kwa re go yang – Bana ba kgaupe ba laelana go sale gale’.