Son of the Soil workshop unveils more about Setswana culture
Spira Tlhankane | Tuesday January 26, 2016 09:39
Kgosi Kebinatshwene Mosielele of Manyana delivered a heartfelt oration, explaining Bogadi as intrinsic to Setswana culture. He said Bogadi was initially meant to be a token of appreciation to the bride’s family. “It is a way of uniting two families and solidifying the relationships between the two,” he said.
He indicated that modern weddings as opposed to traditional ones do not require bogadi. “These days people choose between the two, but our traditional wedding is the best. People should uphold our culture by marrying the Setswana way,” he said.
Kgosi Mosielele highlighted that “patlo is a very critical stage of negotiations because it is a test of determination.
Some people complain that the bride’s family are very inconsiderate during this stage, but it is meant to detect how far the groom’s family are willing to go,” he further explained.
He said the groom’s family has to remain vigilant until the negotiations get underway again. Kgosi Mosielele said the Setswana culture doesn’t encourage divorce. “The man would rather marry another wife depending on the reasons,” he said.
Kgosi Mosielele said people have destroyed the meaning of bogadi and it has now been turned into a business.
“Money destroys the significance of bogadi. Batswana should not accept bogadi in the form of money; there is no pride in that,” he highlighted. He also criticised gay marriages, indicating that Setswana culture doesn’t allow sodomy.
“Marriage is a union designed to increase families. How are people of the same sex going to achieve that?” he wondered. The chairman of Dingaka Association, Banyatsi Setilo, presented on indigenous medicine and covered topics like boloi (witchcraft) and bongaka jwa setso (traditional healing). Setilo indicated that there is a thin line between the two.
“Witches are not happy to see people living decent lives. They don’t steal. They don’t want riches.
They just want to see people leading miserable lives,” he said. He highlighted that boloi is diabolic and has been in existence since the beginning of times.
Setilo also clarified the issue of ancestors which he said faces a lot of misperception. “Yes, ancestors are dead people but we don’t worship them. They are intermediaries and they play the same role as angels in Christianity,” he said.
Setilo also said traditional doctors have the ability to protect people from harm. He said they prefer to be called healers because they heal witches’ victims. Miriam Seneo Semele spoke about the evolution of music. Among the major points she highlighted was the role music plays in our society.
“African societies order their lives around music and it has the ability to entertain and burn rough edges of life.
“Ceremonies like weddings cannot be complete without music,” she said. Semele said it is through music that moral and social norms are embedded.
“As we celebrate 50 years, many types of music have been unearthed and it is important to know where we come from,” she said.
Thato Mokganedi spoke about the traditional attire and how world events have influenced the changing fashion trends.
Dr Jeff Ramsay gave a synopsis of Botswana in World War II while Professor Thapelo Otlogetswe presented on strategies of developing and preserving local languages.
Others topics covered were Setswana beverages and traditional games. Son of the Soil will begin this Friday with motswaiso session. The main event follows Saturday and a Jazz festival on the cards Sunday.