25 Feb 2019

Basarwa have been urged to document their rich history and culture which seems to be fading into oblivion.

The executive director of Women Against Rape (WAR), Peggy Ramaphane said Basarwa have a rich history that was not well-known, and stressed the need to put it in writing for the benefit of future generations.

She made the plea during the official opening of a cultural village established by Tane Ko Teemahane Women Foundation at Khwai, situated in the centre of the Okavango Delta.

Tane Ko Teemahane Women Foundation is a group of young women of Khwai who aim to encourage culture preservation amongst Baswara as they want members to rise and live through culture and traditional knowledge.

Ramaphane revealed that Baswara had long depended on a mixed economy hence the need to write stories depicting their lifestyle.

She said the stories could be of gender-based violence, economic issues or love affairs because the community was well known to be a loving society.

“You should be a nation of authors and write history stories of your lifestyle for future generations.

You can also work with our organisation as we write books, and also encourage the community to develop an interest in creative writing of short stories,” she added.

She said the establishment of the cultural village was a welcome development as it would be the custody for their cultural artefacts and written documents which would promote a culture of reading.

Ramaphane also sensitised the gathering about the mandate of WAR, noting that the organisation aimed to empower women who had fallen victim to abuse. The organisation provides support to women who have suffered all forms of violence to recover.

Maun East MP, Konstantinos Markus hailed Tane Ko Teemahane Women Foundation for taking the lead in cultural preservation, noting that government was committed to working with all ethnic groups to safeguard and promote culture.

He said the preservation and promotion of culture guards against them losing their identity. In addition, Markus said it was interesting as Basarwa had always managed to exist in the most difficult conditions and proved to be survivors who uphold their culture.

He said Basarwa survived with the help of their cultural practices such as hunting and gathering of wild fruits. Traditionally, he said they were not farmers but depended on the wildlife which surrounded them.

Markus said it was pleasing to see young women who were keen to maintain the legacy left by their forefathers for the benefit of the coming generation. The founder and coordinator of Tane Ko Teemahane Women Foundation, Diphetogo Lekgowa said the organisation was established to empower women to rise and live through culture more so that they come from an area which was rich in natural resources.

She said they wanted to take advantage of the indigenous knowledge from their elders, noting that Basarwa were traditionally benefited from their cultural practices citing activities such as midwifery, healing adding that currently, they were working jointly with the government as they saw their practices useful.

The cultural centre, she believed, would revive their culture which she said was perishing because of modern technology. “We want to maintain the legacy left by our elders and empower young people to preserve the culture and indigenous knowledge,” she stressed.

Lekgowa said they were hopeful that the cultural village would generate income as their village was situated in a tourist area which attracted tourists internationally and they would have the opportunity to learn more about their history through storytelling and traditional dance.

Lekgowa said they managed to reach their dream courtesy of Khwai Development Trust, area MP and safari companies operating within their village and the community. ENDS