P’tites Annonces · BotswanaBotswana

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From the Kalahari to the Okavango Delta, Botswana contains environments whose resources have shaped different community histories. Tswana, San, Kalanga and Hambukushu cultures, among others, contribute to a plural heritage. The kgotla, a place for meetings and discussion, is an important reference in collective life for many Tswana communities. At Tsodilo, rock paintings and the meanings attached to the hills reveal longstanding relationships between places, stories and spiritual practices. Their interpretation requires respect for the knowledge of the communities concerned. Basket weaving combines precise handwork with patterns, especially in the north, while songs and dances vary between groups. Seswaa is meat cooked for a long time before being shredded or pounded, often for sizeable gatherings. Bogobe, prepared from grains such as sorghum, and leafy vegetables accompany it. Ceremonial meals involve the work of several people. Cooking and distributing portions therefore become practical expressions of family and community solidarity, connecting food with obligations of care as well as the enjoyment of an occasion.