Son of David becomes leader of Bamumbe of Motshwane (Final Part)

ABEL ABEDNICO MABUSE
Correspondent | Friday August 10, 2012 00:00

It serves as a highlight of succession proceedings I briefly offered in an instalment published a fortnight ago.  In that introductory part, I opined that documentation of such important cultural events provides an essential platform through which our culture can be promoted, shared and preserved for posterity.

Although cognisant of the fact that culture is dynamic, I always pay attention to contemporary cultural practices among different cultural groups. I have the conviction that although cultural change in inherently unavoidable, there are certain traits that remain deeply embedded in the daily ways of any people over long periods of time. It is therefore partly my duty as a cultural heritage practitioner to document and deduce those changes over time for the benefit of future generations. Since the history of any society is shaped and determined by social, economic and political events, it should be the duty of scholars to study it to help highlight where we come from as a people.

One of the most critical observations I made during the coronation in Motshwane concerned the role played by women in the politics of Bawumbe. Although the people of Motshwane are part of an inherently partrilineal society of Balilima, they have played a pivotal role in the political affairs of these Bawumbe. As early as 0800 hrs, some women had already congregated in the Kgotla of Motshwane undertaking some chores to prepare for the event.Elderly women who had witnessed the ascension of the late David Makache to the throne of Bawumbe of Motshwane related the events to younger ones.

In such events, it is common for people to retrospect and share with younger generations as way of passing their traditions to the younger generations. Such information will then be passed all over again in similar situations. For a better part of our past as humanity, this has been the manner in which traditions have been passed on from one generation to the other. Women usually have an upper hand in this process.

In the introductory part, I mentioned that the proceedings did not start until the most senior royal uncle, Basoli Makache, arrived. The first time I met him was at the funeral of the late David Makache. He was deeply moved by Makache's departure. And when he stood up to speak, he opted to recite the praise poem of Bawumbe.Despite attempting twice, he was overcome by emotion and did not quite finish the praise poem. From the praise poem a few cultural aspects can be noted.  First of all, it implies that Bawumbe are metallurgists associated with iron hoes used for ploughing. The most symbolic of Ikalanga hoes is a marriage hoe known as Phangule. The poem also specifies that Bawumbe grow a tall variety of finger millet, which is their traditional staple food.  The last two stanzas illustrate that they are rich cattle herders who can even afford to wash with milk, claiming that all water has creepy creatures such as tadpoles. My interpretation of this poem does not claim to be the most appropriate meaning.  It is based on my knowledge of the archaeology and history of the Bawumbe.

On the day of the coronation, Basoli Makache epitomised the praise poem of the Bawumbe he had recited a few months earlier at the funeral of his elder brother.  He was simply the best-dressed man at the occasion.  His cream white classy suit was well ironed, giving him political status befitting a royal uncle. His Stetson hat complimented his suit while his grey hair resembled the wisdom associated with his age. It was after he led the royal entourage into the Kgotla area that the public was requested to congregate around them and pave way for the beginning of the ceremony.  Women sat on the south-western part of the Kgotla while men assumed the northern part facing the royal family.  Mbaakanyi David sat at the extreme right flanked to my left by his senior uncle Ishmael Motshwene Makache. 

Basoli Makache assumed the central part of the Kgotla on the day, the position that had always been assumed by the late David Makache. He sat on a traditional and leather strap chair associated with Bakalanga royalty and elderly people. His chair and suit elevated his status and set him apart from the rest of the royalty that sat in ordinary plastic chairs. To his left sat Nzhi David and then his uncle Mbuya Basoli who was tasked with chairing the proceedings.

The event was opened by a prayer from one of the Bawumbe in attendance. Basoli Makache briefly welcomed the Bawumbe and the public in attendance. Senior as he is among the royalty of Motshwane, one would have anticipated that he would offer the gathering some background information signifying the event.  This intricate task was given to the articulate Nzhi David. When he stood up, he traced the origins of the Motshwene people to Domboshaba days when Bakalanga state of Butua was in existence. He addressed the gathering in Ikalanga and successfully avoided the use of foreign languages during his memorable speech. When he sat down, he had clearly demonstrated, as I indicated in the introductory part a fortnight ago, that the late David Makache had been regent to the throne.

The rightful throne of the Bawumbe belonged to the Motshwene family who are older than the David Makache lineage. Long before the late assumed the throne in 1985, Oathotse Makache had been the leader of Bawumbe of Motshwane. His father, Motshwene, led the Bawumbe during trying moments. Upon arrival in the Motshwane area, these Bawumbe people settled near Sebinanyana area. To the east, they were bordered by present day Mafungo that has Jankie River as the natural boundary. To their west, stood Sebinanyana and further northwest was the area governed by Chiwidi, who led the Bawumbe of Motswakhumo. During these early days, Makache led the Bawumbe of Motshwane. His Kgotla was not considered to be autonomous by the Nzinda Kgotla of Tjizwina. Makache and his people successfully refuted any attempts to coalesce the Motshwene people with Maluke ward. When Makache died, Keeritse led Motshwane. After that, Motshwene became the leader.