20 Feb 2022

A Kalanga cultural do dubbed Shanganani Cultural Festival is expected to bring together Bakalaka tribes in the southern part of the country, at Gabane Cultural Village on March 5.

In an interview on Thursday the event’s spokesperson Boikhutso Phuthego said the idea for the festival came after realising that some Bakalaka who had migrated to the South for various reasons, such as employment opportunities, and marriage among others missed the vibe of their cultural activities.

She said the festival also intended to raise awareness of Kalanga cultural practises, with focus on traditional dance, food and dress code. It also aimS to highlight diverse cultural practises.

“We hope to bring Bakalaka together through the festival and provide a platform for them to reminisce about their cultural practises such as their well-known traditional dishes, music, attire,” she explained.

Ndingo Johwa, the Kalanga jazz maestro, will headline the festival and sensational Jazz artiste Lister Boleseng, will share the stage with him.

 Traditional dance troupes that specialiSe in Ndazola and Hosanna, two dances performed when Bakalaka pray for rain or when performing a ritual seeking healing or blessings from their ancestors.

Traditional dance troupe Mafitlhakgosi will also perform, as will DJs Leby, Mister P, and Sissy, among others.

Kalanga dishes to be served include dhobi, dried bean leaves cooked with pounded ground nuts powder, served as a relish with bogobe jwa mabele, lebelebele.

Other foods that the attendants will treated to are seswaa, serobe, delele and tjimoni among others.

Phuthego said the event was open to both the young and the old and that traditional games such as skipping rope, morabaraba and mhele would be available. ENDS