Vacations For Africa

When on vacation in Botswana, it is beneficial to have an understanding of the cultural norms and background that will help you to understand and relate to the Batswana people. Even more so if it's your first time. Here is a brief overview by Elizabeth Morgan to get you on your way.

The dominant national culture of Botswana reflects the dual heritage and intermingling of Tswana and English cultural dominions. Nowadays, members of the country’s ruling circles are equally comfortable in both languages, no matter what the member’s regional or ethnic origin and home language are.

Traditional Tswana music was based on the human voice and string instruments, with little to no drumming. But the traditional music and dance began to decline during the last decades of the colonial period, because it was perceived as anti-modern and anti-development. Now there is a revival of interest, with school dance troupes welcoming official visitors, but black South African and imported African-American 'soul' music still dominates music on the radio. In the 1970s, there was an emergence of didactic drama to raise popular awareness of development issues. Later, the teaching of music and art in schools was revived to some extent.

The art form of Botswana best known abroad is the traditional craftwork of basketry, most of it from the northwestern part of the country. The National Museum and Art Gallery in Gaborone holds regular exhibitions of local graphic artists, and its annual Artists in Botswana festival every April.

Films and television programs are still at a nascent stage in Botswana. Although no major feature film has been made in Botswana, the US National Geographic Society has releases some wildlife documentaries.

In Botswana, football is the national sport, played on fields and at stadiums across the country every Saturday. Tennis, golf, and softball have also some takers.

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