DIKHWAERE IN KGATLENG
Source : Kutlwano
Author : Baleseng Batlotleng
Location : KGATLENG DISTRICT
Event : Feature
In Europe and some parts of the Western world December 25th marks a very special day for families as carols are sung, meats are roasted, gifts are exchanged and family visits made. In Botswana, the day is characterised with an array of outdoor activities notably the much famed and enduring cultural activity called Dikhwaere. The word khwaere is a loanword adopted into the Setswana language and derives from the English word ‘choir`.
Kutlwano reporter Baleseng Batlotleng travelled to the Kgatleng area on this special day and joined the festivities amongst dozens of people who had come to witness the performances.
The Kgatleng choir fixtures are segregated into the super league, first division all the way down to the forth division. An interesting duel is always expected between the super league choirs which comprise of the likes of incumbent champions Sedibelo choir, former champions Rangers Marena from Mosomane and Tlou-Tsoga of Lelotong amongst others.
The content repertoire for the songs is quite varied with themes ranging from community issues such as social ills, the good and evil aspects of traditional medicine, and the might of one choir over another, or just satire.
At one point a direct scorn was thrown at one of the organizers John Marumo in a now popular song “John Wa Leferefere”.
The rivalry between these choirs has been in existence for years and it all accounts for the popularity they have gained even beyond their shores. Other choirs battled it out in places like Dipowaneng, Mabolaelo, Mmakgomo, Mokolobata and Makgatleng.
In a rather unfamiliar activity down south, people of Thamaga came in droves for the annual Thamaga Christmas tournament. The initiative, brainchild of Radio Botswana sport personality Tiro Lepotokisi has given the Christmas day festivities south of Dibete a different context considering that football tournaments were a thing of the North while Dikhwaere made headlines down south.
However people from neighbouring villages of Kumakwane, Molepolole, Mmankgodi, Manyana, Gabane and Ramaphatle amongst others met in Thamaga and celebrated the day with style.
At the end of the 5 days soccer spectacular Tourism FC from Mmankgodi edged out bitter rivals Letlapeng FC to the first spot. ENDS
Teaser:
In Europe and some parts of the Western world December 25th marks a very special day for families as carols are sung, meats are roasted, gifts are exchanged and family visits made. In Botswana, the day is characterised with an array of outdoor activities notably the much famed and enduring cultural activity called Dikhwaere. The word khwaere is a loanword adopted into the Setswana language and derives from the English word ‘choir`.
Kutlwano reporter Baleseng Batlotleng travelled to the Kgatleng area on this special day and joined the festivities amongst dozens of people who had come to witness the performances...
