Africa-Press – Botswana. Multitudes of Basubiya clad in cultural regalia celebrated Cisiya Nkulu cultural festival in Kavimba on September 23.
The cultural fiesta showcased the rich Basubiya (Veekuhane) culture through knowledge sharing of their language Chiikuhane, the display of traditional gear (moshishi) as well as song and dance in the spirit of celebrating culture.
Speakers on the day unravelled the significance of the cultural festival as a practice of preserving the legacy left behind by the Veekuhane forefathers as it enunciates ‘Cisiya Nkulu’.
Delivering a keynote address, Assistant Minister of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, Buti Billy stated that celebrating culture was important as it unified people and strengthened one’s identity.
He said it was important to teach children cultural practices and norms in order to shape their future so that they owned their culture with pride.
“Let us bring our children on board whenever we hold these kind of events that define and celebrate our core values because they ignite a sense of pride in them, which will inspire them to preserve it for many years.”
Billy said this year’s theme; Promoting and Celebrating our Dress Code and Language, was aligned to government’s decision to introduce mother tongue in primary schools as a way to deliver effective tools of learning and preserving one’s language.
He said it was important for Batswana to package their culture in a way that would attract the global community to invest and buy-in, adding that there was a gap in commercialisation of Botswana’s food, dance, crafts and clothes.
Minister of Justice, also Member of Parliament for Chobe, Machana Shamukuni said there was need for Cisiya Nkulu festival to reflect growth, adding that this could be achieved through benchmarking against other successful cultural events in the country.
He said Botswana was made up of diverse cultures that should all be embraced.
“This is our culture and we as custodians need to promote this culture for it to grow.”
Shamukuni pointed out that in 2019 UNESCO recognised Seperu as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, adding that it was the responsibility of the Veekuhane ethnic groups to preserve it.
Kgosi Liswani Maiba Sinvula III implored Veekuhane ethnic groups across Botswana to play a role in this cultural event, especially at the preparation stage so that the festival would reflect its success after 17 years of existence.
“Let’s all embrace this event and own it because it is our offspring as Veekuhane from Makalamabedi, Rakops, Gumare, Parakarungu to Pandamatenga and if we do so Cisiya Nkulu will be a force to reckon with.”
He explained that Cisiya Nkulu meant a legacy left by one’s forefathers, which encompassed culture, food, clothes, language, song and dance, traditions and other unique and diverse aspects.
Kgosi Sinvula III stated that it was important for Veekuhane to celebrate their culture by wearing moshishi, eating their staple food tswii and fish as well as dance Seperu with pride.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
