Cultural differences tie all Batswana
Chippa Legodimo | Friday May 23, 2014 12:24
Acting Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Vincent Seretse, said that the peace and tranquility that this country enjoys is borne out of Tswana tradition and beliefs often reflected in the adage ntwa kgolo ke ya molomo.
Speaking at the commemoration of World Culture Day in Mmopane, Seretse said that while people must appreciate cultural differences of the various tribes, it is important not to let such differences split the nation.
“We have co-existed as different tribes and cultures in Botswana owing to these beliefs and traditions,” Seretse said.
Seretse also warned that for culture to be properly passed to future generations it is important to guard it closely. He said various community cultural festivals such as Dithubaruba, Domboshaba, Kuru Dance festival, Kamanakao and Dikgafela by Bakgatla are a clear demonstration of government’s commitment to ensuring that various cultural practices were sustained.
He noted that as a signatory to the 2003 UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage (IHC), Botswana embarked on community-based inventory, which started in the Kgatleng District in 2010.
He said that earthenware pottery skills in Kgatleng were recognised as an IHC element in need of urgent safeguarding since December 2012.
He also noted research was completed in Chobe and the North East districts, and more studies would soon be conducted in Ghanzi.
“The famous Phathisi dance has to be documented and many other elements of our culture. I believe it will be easy for us because we have already started through the annual Dithubaruba festival and exhibitions at the museum,” he said.
He also said that contrary to popular belief that government downplays the importance of language, Language Day is commemorated annually with the view to promote the different dialects found in Botswana. Seretse said that government would continue to encourage different tribes to be proud of their mother tongues and impart such heritage to their children.
Kgosi Tau Manthe of Mmopane explained that the name of the village belonged to a certain farmer from Bokaa who settled at the base of a nearby hill.
Manthe said that initially the village was called Manakedi, a name that was derived from the type of goats reared by the first settler, his grandfather Kgosi Tau.
He described him as an innovative person whose belief in culture and tradition laid a foundation for the today’s generation. “He was the first person in this area to do row planting and used to make a bumper harvest,” he said.
Manthe noted that farming was part of Batswana’s culture, noting that as a primary economic activity prior to independence it helped the country develop into what it is today. He said that Kgosi Tau was one of the visionary leaders whose strong beliefs in farming helped develop the village and its people.
He said practices such as Majako and Mafisa helped alleviate poverty. The new perception that people were being taken advantage of has ruined the two practices, leaving more and more people in abject poverty and in need of government aid, he explained.