mmegi

Mokwakwa: The boy's rough game

Parrying blows:The late South African president Nelson Mandela, a Xhosa who grew up in the Eastern Cape, was taught intonga (stick-fight) by herd boys, which is akin to local mokwakwa
Parrying blows:The late South African president Nelson Mandela, a Xhosa who grew up in the Eastern Cape, was taught intonga (stick-fight) by herd boys, which is akin to local mokwakwa

The antique art of mokwakwa practised many years ago amongst the rural boys in our village, was a test of strength and territorial defence not only for the two clashing groups of boys but the wider groups of boys across the Palapye wards. Writes Mmegi Staffer RYDER GABATHUSE

Sometimes mokwakwa provided entertainment to the villagers although it often rubbed some the wrong way, especially those chased out of the territory. It was through this somewhat outlandish game that boys were able to defend their territory by ensuring that after the meeting, no strangers hanged around longer in their area than it was necessary.

It was a quick way of removing all possible threats including boys from other areas taking the territory’s girls. Usually during street soccer games there were gifted boys who would shine and received more cheers from the territory’s girls and thereby raising fears of the area boys losing their partners.

Editor's Comment
Depression is real; let's take care of our mental health

It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...

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