Botswana Culture

Botswana has a very diversified culture. The Okavango Delta Peoples are a group of people located in Botswana. They have a rich history and a very unique culture. This culture is a good example of the Botswana culture as a whole. LanguageEnglish is the official language of Botswana, but the most common language is Setswana, a Bantu language understood by over 90% of the population. Arts and Crafts The original Botswana artists were everyday craftspeople who injected individual sensitive into practical implements such as pottery, fabrics and tools. Botswana's baskets are exquisite, employing designs with such evocative names as Tears of the Giraffe, Urine Trail of the Bull and Forehead of the Zebra.
Culture History All that survives of the ancient myths and praise poetry of the native peoples has been handed down orally and only recently transcribed. Botswana's most famous modern literary figure was South African-born Bessie Head, who settled in Serowe and wrote of the harshness and beauty of village life.
Modern Day Culture Historically, men were responsible for tending the herds and subsisted primarily on meat and milk, while women were left to gather and eat wild fruits and vegetables. Nowadays, millet and sorghum porridge form the centre of most Botswana meals, but these are rapidly being replaced by imported maize mealies. People in remote areas supplement their diets with morama, an immense underground tuber, and an edible fungus known as the Kalahari truffle. You may also encounter dishes including the mopane worm, a caterpillar-like grub that can be cooked in hot ash, boiled in salt water or dried and deep-fried. Traditional drinks include palm wine, a less than legal, extremely potent swill, and kgadi, made from distilled brown sugar or fungus. Legal home brews include bojalwa, an inexpensive sprouted sorghum beer.

Baobab Safari Co.-Botswana Safaries, http://www.baobabsafaris.com/botswana.htm, Baobab Safari Co. Copyright © 1996

Okavango Delta Peoples of Botswana, http://www.mindspring.com/~johnbock/, by John Bock, July 1998

Lonely Planet World Guide I Destination Botswana I Culture, http://lonelyplanet.com/destinations/africa/botswana/culture.htm, Lonely Planet Publications. © 2001

Intro Page	Basic Facts By: Jessa
Botswana's Geography and Climate By: Aaron	History Page By: Alex

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Created By: Adam Y.