Orange Letlhafula: A Feat Of Cultural Diversity

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday May 7, 2018 18:00

 

The event, which brings together people of different races and cultures at the capital city’s renowned cultural and event venue, Botswanacraft, once more gave attendants a taste of what the Setswana culture is all about.

Although this year’s event was no different from the past ones in that it celebrated the local culture with traditional cuisine, dance, dress and traditional games, it still was a sold out show. People came in large numbers despite the bad publicity the Orange Letlhafula attracted just a week before the day of the event.

Held under the theme ‘A re itumelele ngwao’, the Orange Letlhafula did not disappoint. On arrival, cultural enthusiasts were treated to a variety of snacks ranging from wild fruits to groundnuts. The cultural enthusiasts never ran out of ‘something to eat’ or keep them busy before the actual meal consisting of a variety of dishes at lunch hour.

Over the years, the food aspect has always been the main attraction of the Orange Letlhafula as over 25 massive three-legged pots consisting of variety of delicacies, each with its own chef are served, but it is the cultural brew or Bojalwa jwa setso/maswe a dinala, mokuru or tshwene as it is known to many that seemed to get more and more attention.

Many people including those who have earned the tag ‘slay queens’ frequented the popular Bojalwa jwa Setso serving point. People were given disposal cups to drink from, but after sometime many could be seen holding phafana (calabash) which is the right device to use when drinking traditional brew. There were two brewing pots and round about six 25-litre containers all full of the brew, but they were emptied in no time.

There was also a competition for the best dressed as women and men also came dressed for the occasion. The audience had to choose from a handful of people who were on stage to show their cultural outfits.

Poets also serenaded the audience with their well-orchestrated words. The event could never be complete without song and dance. There were a few traditional dance troupes who performed much to the delight of the people.

Mafitlhakgosi Traditional Group from Old Naledi were present to entertain the audience. Son to the late Duncan Senyatso, Junior Senyatso also brought his band to perform a few of his songs for the crowd. Even though the Orange Letlhafula was sold out, there were not as many people as one would expect compared to the previous editions; something that could suggest that the event needs a bit of twist to rekindle its spark.