Dikgafela Draws Wide Audience
Sharon Mathala | Monday September 15, 2014 15:08
The traditional event is hosted by residents who put on the festival to appease badimo for their harvest, which this year will be on Saturday.
Under the theme ‘Moila Dikgafela, Polotso Letsema Ke Seikokotelo Sa Basiko’, elderly women at the event were dressed in traditional blue and white leteisi carrying pots on their heads. They delivered the pots to the elderly men of the village, while singing traditional songs and ululating.
Kgosi Michael said that they plan to host the event annually. He said this would an opportunity for the youth to learn more about the heritage. “I strongly believe that the youth can learn alot from such events. Interestingly, the youth attended in huge numbers. I hope they take the teachings home and apply them to their everyday life,” he said.
Showtime also caught up with one of the village elders, Michael Kgakge. He said: “Such events are meant to remind us of the past. Over and above, thanking the heavens for the rain and the harvest.”
He further said expressed his interest in having a more offical role at next year’s celebrations. Another villager, Kgosiemang Mponu, told Showtime that it was his first time attending such an event.
“I always read about it and hear about such an event, but I never got the opportunity to attend one myself. Although I came late, I got to learn and appreciate a lot about our culture,” he said.
He added: “The spirit of botho is shown even in the way people relate to each other. I think we should have more of such events.” Different groups danced as they sang traditional songs before the tribal elders and the villagers. Ranyere and Mogamapana traditional groups delivered the dance.