'Go athola' - a cultural concept that refuses to die!

IKE VAVI
Correspondent | Thursday April 14, 2011 00:00

This is the concept popularly referred to as 'Go athola' (to charge) being the direct translation equivalent. James Kaisara of Masunga says, 'This is a concept that cuts across all the tribes in the country. It is a concept that is fully understood by Batswana across the tribal divide. It remains one of the social control mechanisms through which the youth are taught the norms and values of the society through some form of punishment or penalties for flouting established norms and values of the society.' He explains that the main focus of such an undertaking is on the effect of the punishment on those who unfortunately have to bear the brunt for flouting the rules.

'The punishment of any form will, therefore, serve more as a guide and a constant reminder to the individuals that whatever they had said or done was not culturally sanctioned by the society,' he reasons. He reveals that the nature of the punishment is determined by the gravity of the offence.

'The nature of the offence is determined by the nature of the perceived offence. The forms of the punishment range from being expected to buy a can of drink for having uttered words that are deemed by the elderly to have derogatory or insulting connotations.  Others might be expected to buy a dress or a pair of shoes for someone for having negatively commented on their clothes or their dress code. In extreme cases one might even be expected to buy a goat. It all depends on the nature of the offence and the collective feelings and understanding of those who are presiding over the case,' he says.

Ronald Mazira of Parakarungu regards this cultural practice as one of the traditional checks and balances that ought to be there in any cultural set up to ensure continuity.

'This is one of the checks and balances that the society has put in place to ensure that society continues to uphold the established norms and values. It is there to make sure that members of the society tow the defined line in terms of abiding by the norms and values,' he says.

He says that some of the defining features of such a cultural trait are that the scales of justice are mostly tilted towards the complainant and that the rule of natural justice does not apply at all.

'The scales of justice in such cases are tilted towards the complainants who in most cases are the older people.Once an older person presses charges against someone, the defendant's side of the story will not be entertained at all. The defendant simply has to wait for the verdict and is expected to comply with the ruling,' he says.

He argues that judgement passed under this kind of arrangement unfortunately cannot be challenged or appealed. 'Whatever verdict that in most cases would be hastily passed cannot be challenged. Any attempt to do that will attract more charges and punishment for contempt of 'court',' he says.

Kerileng (as she prefers to be identified) of Tonota regards this as one of the  social  lubricants that Batswana have been using for sometime.  'It is one of those social lubricants that have been used to oil the interpersonal relationships in the society. It is one cultural aspect that brings the society together.  This is so because any member of the society can be targeted under this 'judicial system' and is expected to comply with the pronouncements of the jury, regardless of the reservations they might have about it,' she says. This is also a tool that may be used in the working environments to bring about the much-needed organisational stability, which is a recipe for good performance. 'In organisations where such a concept prevails, the working relations in most cases are good.  The interpersonal relationships may be greatly improved as a direct consequence of such a cultural practice leading to a positive corresponding improvement in terms of performance,' she says.

She maintains that though the practice might appear to be a bit unfair particularly to the defendants, 'this practice is a good way of motivating the young ones to uphold the cultural norms and values of the society.

It undoubtedly helps in the preservation of culture and should be maintained by all the different tribes. It is one practice that should be continued to help in the socialisation process of our young ones.'

Psychology and sociology lecturer in the Institute of Health Sciences (HIS) in Francistown, Anita Lebengo says that this cultural aspect remains one of the cultural remnants that is there primarily for social control purposes. 'It is one cultural aspect that shows that indeed members of a society are socially controlled beings whose deeds and even language to be used is closely controlled and monitored by the society,' she says. She says that this is one powerful tool that the society uses to continually socialise its members.

'The various punishments meted out to those who are found guilty is by extension a continuation of the socialisation process and a reminder about the acceptable code of conduct in a given society.  It is cultural practices like this one that can be regarded as the cornerstone of the peace and co-existence that prevails in our societies.

This has largely to do with the fact that through this kind of cultural practices, everybody can be charged and this creates a sense of oneness, equality and recognition of all. This, therefore, leads to some form of unity and stability in the society,' she explains.

Lebengo says that the contribution of such practices in shaping the behaviour of members of society cannot be overemphasised. 'It is such practices that may ultimately help in moulding the young ones in the society. At times punishment may be meted out in the form of a group punishment where if an individual has flouted the rules, all his age mates are expected to partake in carrying out the prescribed sentence,' she says.