Western Kgalagadi Cultural Fest to be held soon

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Writer | Tuesday October 26, 2010 00:00

 

Speaking to Showbiz in an interview, Isang Pilane of CI said that the festival, which is going to attract participants from villages within the Western Kgalagadi Corridor such as Inalegolo, Phuduhudu, New Xade, Zutshwa, Maake, Ngwatle, Monong, Kacgae, Kokotsha and Ncaaang is slated to take place in Kang on November 5-6.

'The people from the corridor have realised that they could improve their livelihoods by selling their culture as a tourism product; so they came up with the theme, 'Our culture is our life',' Pilane said.

He also said they have also allowed a group from outside the corridor to participate at the event. Pilane assured Showbiz that the new San festival was not designed to rival the annual Kuru San Dance Festival adding it was meant to complement the internationally acclaimed festival.

'Kuru San Dance Festival is an established event and our efforts cannot affect it anyhow. In fact we are ready to work with the Kuru people to see how our festivals could complement each other,' he said.

Odirile Molemele, a member of the organising committee told Showbiz in an earlier interview that participants at the event are expected to showcase different San dance-styles including hunting and games.

She also said that they would demonstrate the ngwale ritual ceremony that is held to welcome young girls into womanhood.

'The purpose of the festival is to promote, preserve and showcase Sesarwa (San) and Sekgalagadi ( Shengologa) cultures,' she said adding that these are the two main culture found in the area.

It is expected that different Setswana cuisines will be on offer at the event. The participants would also demonstrate the revered San traditional healing dances, which are normally held in the evening around a bonfire.Zen Promotions, headed by the feisty Zen Promotion, has been tasked with promoting and marketing the event. The main sponsors of the event are Conservation International, Botswana Tourism Board (BTB) and Gems Diamonds.