24 Mar 2020

Mababe elderly, Idea Newa believes in failing in originality than to succeed in imitation hence his determination to promote Sesarwa culture given its uniqueness capable of attracting tourists.

The Mababe elderly hailed ethnic groups still upholding their tradition and cultures but expressed a concern over his fellow Basarwa who seems carried away by modern lifestyle.

In an interview recently, Newa, a passionate cultural activist said he was determined to preserve his roots. He is of the notion that culture is a tree which needed to be watered and preserved, as failure to do so may result in its extinction.

Newa prides himself with his Sesarwa culture, regard it as essential to people’s lives and future development noting that Basarwa are among the tribes with rich and unique history that needed to be documented and recorded for future generations.

Narrating a brief history of Basarwa, he said traditionally, Baswara were nomadic and predominately hunter-gatherers hence they were called the ‘Bushmen’ because their life was based in the bush.

Women engaged in gathering wild fruits while men hunted and they would have a bonfire at night to celebrate the feast together as a community but stated that things had changed.

 “Our fellow tribesmen have neglected our rich history and tradition as they had been carried away by modern things.”

Newa cited that their youngsters were struggling to freely speak their mother tongue as most of the time they speak Setswana and realised that some parents were not instilling their tradition among their young ones.

Some young people, he said had resorted to social ills such as consumption of drugs and substance abuse while some were working under Ipelegeng Programme.

In the past, he said culture created employment opportunities adding that they survived through their cultural activities.

He said it was disheartening as some were undermining themselves hence they fail to practice their norms, tradition and respect their culture.

The elderly man described culture as the lifeblood of a vibrant society, expressed in the many ways be it telling stories, celebrate, remember the past, entertainment, and imagine the future.

As such, the vibrant and energetic Newa who seems to be more knowledgeable about their history plans to open a cultural centre in Mababe village in an effort to preserve Basarwa culture.

The centre, he said would act as an educational place where the youth would assemble during their spare time and learn more about Basarwa history.

It would display all history of Basarwa including the traditional artefacts, utensils, the food they ate, clothing and youngsters would also be treated to storytelling.Through, the centre, he said the communities would understand the definition, role and importance of culture in society.

He said the centre would be open but to all Batswana including tourists who are eager to learn Seswara and appreciate their unique culture.

Basarwa, he said believed in ancestors as they sought permission from them during difficult times such as hunger and drought adding that they performed some practices to trace animals or to seek rainfall.

Newa said they also do their activities around fire because there was a belief that if they do in darkness, “lefatshe le tla ba shenela meno” thus, they would have bad luck in everything they do. ENDS