27 Nov 2014

A 94-year-old Xhamaga born and Wayeyi historian, Tembwe Motshidisi, commonly known as Rra Bayei, is still holding on to his native Seyei culture by telling all and sundry about the tribe's history.

Speaking in an interview, he referred to himself as 'Wayeyi dailynews' as he goes around telling people about the culture of his Bauntu speaking tribe on a daily bases just like the DailyNews gives out news every day.

He said some people called him a Wayeyi dictionary as he has some very complicated terms of his language. Mr Motshidisi is well known for his entertaining stories around Gumare, especially during funeral occasions and weddings.  He explained that the Wayeyi people originated at the present day Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly known as Zaire). 

“Zaire is a question meaning “who does the things on this land belong to?” It is answered by saying Za mbia, which means that it belongs to all of us,’’ he said.

He explained that as the Wayeyi people are aquatic, they moved down the river and passed through Congo, which they are the ones who named it, meaning that “they have passed through the land.”

Motshidisi explained that they split into two different groups as they were a very large grouping, so as to sustain the environment. 

Some came along the Kazungula River, which means ‘come this way,’ while some created big boats out of the trees from the rainforest in Congo, which they floated in until they arrived at Shakawe

After they arrived in Shakawe, the three chiefs decided to choose their own people and split into three groups.  Mr Motshidisi said this is how the place was called Shakawe, meaning “every chief must choose his own people.”

King Ngambao took some people to the side of Seronga, while Chief Hacharo took his people to Jao and Chief Qonko migrated to the northern side of Shakawe, Mr Motshidisi added. 

Furthermore, he said as these people were aquatic, they did not move too far from the river but followed its channels as they were nomadic hunters and gatherers and also reared livestock and cultivated the land.

He said as they were moving along the river channels, the groups started meeting each other again because their life style was similar due to dependency on the river. The old man has his own Wayeyi vocabulary and claims that the Bayei used to own the whole world. 

He also claims that the Bayei named some parts like Japan, which he says it means, “come and taste here.” Mr Motshidisi also said they named Europe, which he claims it is misspelt but spelt as ‘E ro paa’ in his language, which means ‘there is something good here.’ He also said they named India, which means, “Where I am going.”

Apart from his grey hair, someone can tell that he is really aged with his low voice and slow movements. 

He is optimistic that one day Seyei will be taught in schools just like other languages and he wishes to be a lecturer of history of Bayei and their language. Motshidisi urged parents to teach children their culture to follow the words of the first President of Botswana Sir Seretse Khama that “a nation without a culture is lost.”  ENDS