BATLOKWA CULTURE DAY: A CELEBRATION OF CULTURAL IDENTITY AND PRIDE
Abstract
Since the United Nations declared May 21st as the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, Botswana has always celebrated culture day. National celebrations are held on a rotational basis every year, but this does not stop individual ethnic groups from celebrating their own cultures too. For this reason, in the past eight years, the Batlokwa have held their own celebrations to mark this day, which is characterised by various activities such as traditional music, dance, food and performances of certain rituals. In particular, this paper examines and outlines the events of the Batlokwa culture day held in the year 2012. The paper argues that in celebrating this day, the community did not only showcase its culture, but that it is also promoted it. The 2012 celebration made those who participated in it understand and appreciate Batlokwa culture and identity. Further, the use of technological devices to record the activities of the day and those of subsequent culture days helped to document and preserve them for future generations.
