Western Kgalagadi Cultural returns to lukewarm ambience
Sharon Mathala | Wednesday December 3, 2014 11:01
When the two-day festival started in 2010, it attracted multitudes of tourists and revelers in its first two years. However, in the past recent years the festival hasn’t been doing as well.
Last year, only a handful of residents seemed to be aware of the looming event. The waning popularity has raised questions as to whether it would redeem itself this year.
Despite this, organisers are optimistic that this year’s show is one not to be missed. The WCKA treasurer, Odirile Molemele, said they were expecting about 15 groups from different settlements around the area, such as, Bere, Kacgae, Kokotsha, Maake, Zutshwa, Ukhwi and Ngwatle. Molemele explained that their mandate was to promote and showcase local culture and talent as well as create an ambience of pride among residents.
She added that the main aim of the festival was to promote Kgalagadi culture and tourism, as well as impart cultural information to children.
Some the activities lined up for the event include cultural games, and various Khoe and San dances, which include the famous healing dance.
According to the khoe and San tradition, the healing dance is part of the healing initiation arrangement.
In the past, the healing dance amongst the Khoe and San communities were performed for various reasons, including prayer for land, rains, foretelling the future, as well as intercession for good hunting and gathering season.
It is also believed that the devil is the source of the sicknesses but was afraid of light; hence fire became a necessary illuminate to drive him away from the area. The WCKA festival was first established in 2010 with the objective of supporting Botswana’s tourism strategy, to diversify both the tourism products and destinations across Botswana.
The WKCA festival is similar to the Kuru Cultural dance festival, but is primarily designed as a commercial tourism product, aimed at increasing the number of tourists to the Kgalagadi region.