FRANCISTOWN: Multitudes of Bakalaka thronged Matobo main kgotla to celebrate their culture over the weekend.
Leaders and members of surrounding communities of Tjizwina, Madandume, Tjilagwani, Goshwe, Madikwe, members of Domboshaba Cultural Trust, and representatives from the Departments of Arts and Culture, and National Museum and Monuments graced the event.
The theme for this year was ‘Our Culture; Our Responsibility’. Although the event started later than scheduled, it gained momentum immediately after Lidzo gwa Batategulu group sang the National Anthem in Ikalanga.
Food, drinks and entertainment were the order of the day for the patrons.
On arrival, cultural enthusiasts were treated to a variety of Ikalanga snacks varying from Moxanga (maize cooked with melon), peanuts, and moroja (snout nut) amongst others.
Ikalanga dance groups such as Laedza Maitengwe be Tjilenje from Nswazwi, and poet, Ntando Dumane from Plumtree in Zimbabwe representing Ikalanga tribe there lit up the atmosphere to complete a successfully organised celebration.
The poet recited a poem, which expressed that Bakalaka have lost their culture and how the upcoming generation will be lost if they do not introspect and look back to their roots.
He set a sad mood upon the patrons due to the strong words he used to convey the message more especially accusing them of being their own worst enemy.
He emphasised that Bakalaka have lost their identity, using how many speak setswana in their households as an example and further and saying that their children do not know even a single word of Ikalanga.
“Their children no longer know their identity as they are denied by their parents who continue to feed them other cultural identities,” recited Dumane.
Revellers were treated to traditional Kalanga dishes such as bhobola, tjimoni, thopi, zembgwe, marila and swaye. At the end of the day, traditional beer was brought as a ‘wash down’.
In an interview with Showbiz, the chairperson of Lidzo gwa Batategulu Association, Uyapo Mudaba, said that this year they have grown and have attracted many people from the northern region.
He appreciated efforts by members of the community to fund the event out of their own pockets saying that it shows how much they value their culture.
