Batlokwa urged to restore their culture

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane
Correspondent | Monday August 19, 2013 00:00

 

The tribe was celebrating its fifth annual Cultural Day at the main kgotla in Tlokweng.This year's theme was Ngwao Sefalana (derived from grain storage).  'Batlokwa must ensure that they store their culture for the future,' he said.'Our culture defines us.  It shows our personality and our behaviour that is why we do not have to discriminate against others. I urge you to keep the spirit,' he said.He invited Batlokwa to visit their brothers and sisters in South Africa and learn where they originate. 

He promised that this was the beginning of a strong bond and hoped the two tribes would be there to support each other in times of need.  Addressing the gathering, Batlokwa Paramount Chief Puso Gaborone said that he chose Saturday for the event as it fell on the same period he was preparing for his inauguration on August 18, 2007.  'Today we celebrate our fifth annual Culture Day under the theme, 'Ngwao Sefalana.'  We are showing different tribes what our culture means to us,' he said.Batlokwa tribesmen indulged in different kinds of music such as dikhwaere, borankana, traditional instruments music and poetry.

Even though Batlokwa seem to be benefiting from living near the capital city, Kgosi Michael Gaborone pointed this out as a challenge because their culture could easily be eroded by other cultures adapted from people of different origins.Chairperson of Batlokwa Trust Elijah Katse said that the theme related well with their objective of getting the youth to know their culture.