Mafifatshwana Cultural Festival showcases Batlokwa culture
Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Tuesday August 22, 2023 06:00
The event was graced by different dikgosi amongst them Kgosi Bana Sekai of Bakgatla-ba-Kgafela, Kgosi Lotlamoreng II of Borolong, Kgosi Oscar Mosielele of Moshupa, Kgosi Kebinatshwene Mosielele of Manyana and Kgosi Dihutso from Mogoditshane.
There were also dikgosi of Batlokwa from South Africa and Zimbabwe and their wives who came to celebrate the Batlokwa culture with Tlokweng chief, Kgosi Puso Gaborone who was also accompanied by his wife.
During the day, children and the youth got a chance to learn and appreciate culture. The activities for the day included women taking traditional beer (tshwene) to the kgosi who then tasted it and poured some on the floor as a way of giving to the ancestors. This is a way of thanking them for a good harvest in Setswana culture. The kgosi then gave it to his tribesmen to drink. While the men were busy playing ditlhaka and singing traditional songs, the women took the traditional beer to the queen who also blessed the hands that made it.
She told them to go and feed their families and children with the harvest. She then drank and passed the traditional beer to fellow women who accompanied her at the hut veranda as done in the Setswana culture.
By the side, there were women who were pounding sorghum with a pestle and mortar. On the side, there were men who were playing mhele and just a stone throw away from them, there were some young people playing skipping rope (koi). The people also got the chance to learn how cattle are taken care of and as well as how they are milked. This also gave young people who have not gone to cattle posts before a chance to get to know that milk comes from cows, not supermarkets. They also got to see goats and sheep.
Furthermore, Edwin Moroka also famed as Serurubele who is known for his radio programme Sekhutlhwana Sa Bannyee, also intrigued the audience with his immense talent playing with rich Setswana words. The young man showered the chiefs especially Kgosi Gaborone who was the host with praises. His beautiful poems got the dikgosi and revellers digging their pockets and blessing him with some money while both the old and young could not seize showering him with applause and ululations for a job well done.
There was also entertainment from village groups such as Dithakadu who mesmerised the audience with ditlhaka music. Masatlhaneng Choir also sang a few songs praising their kgosi while Mosinki the guitarist entertained the audience with beautiful melodies.
Mabutswapele showed the young generation how they danced in their youth while taking their peers aback with their gaselese dance. In the evening, there was entertainment from local traditional dance groups. Mafitlhakgosi Traditional Troupe kick-started the evening show on a high note. Culture Spears then followed and made the queen and fellow women from bogosi dance to their beautiful songs. MmaAusi, Mabutswapele and the king of dikhwaere, Dr Vom, as it is a norm also gave a memorable performance.