11 Aug 2014

Children have been implored to embrace their cultural identity by learning and interacting with their elders.


Speaking at Delta International School cultural day in Maun on August 9, a story teller and children’s book author, Bontekanye Botumile said cultural identity was important.


“Culture is not something to be ashamed of, it should be embraced,” she said.
 Botumile who hails from Maun and has authored four children’s books said she made a living from stories she was told by her great parents.


She said the folktale stories inspired her children story books such as the Elephant children story and stage performances under her Thari-e-ntsho story tellers brand.
 

Botumile said young people should be inquisitive about their cultural food and practices since they can learn a lot from why things are done in a certain way.


She narrated that married women in Botswana culture wore head scarves to set them apart from girls who are still single, as well as to ‘keep wise words in their heads’ as expected from them.


Delta Waters International School Principal, Absolom Mukonyo said culture was an important aspect of people’s lives.
 He said their school attracted students from different cultures across the world, thus the day was meant to appreciate those diverse cultures.

The students showcased fashion and culture, singing and dancing of different cultures like Ndebele, Herero, Bayeyi, as well as poetry recited in  international languages such as French and Spanish. Ends