Compromising botsetsi for the joy of new life

In Setswana culture when norms and taboos were respected, practices like botsetsi epitomised the way of life. Confinement had its own strict rules and regulations and batsetsi (mothers) would not dare disregard them, as that was seen as taboo.

For instance newborns were only seen by a handful of people. Even the child’s father found it difficult to see his own creation until after a certain period of time after birth.  The community, whether neighbours or relatives, were expected to stay away from the newborn for as long as it takes until the umbilical stump of the baby fall offs after three months.