21 Dec 2014

The department of museum in partnership the Xaixai community held a cultural night at Gcwihaba National Monument on December 19.

President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama graced the event together with the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism Tshekedi Khama and Thapelo Olopeng of Youth Sport and Culture.

The cultural night was preceded by the official opening of tourism facilities, which included the gate house, ablutions, camp sites, boreholes and an airstrip. Residents of Xaixai comprising of Basarwa and Baherero did not disappoint as they displayed their rich culture through song, dance, poems and drama.

Tsutsube group warmed the stage through their vibrant moves followed by the Baherero choir whose performance mainly demonstrated the importance of cattle rearing to their lives. They also relayed some poems which praised President Khama for promoting good governance and for introducing good initiatives aimed at uplifting the livelihoods of communities.

 Xaishee group, made up of the elderly Basarwa in their early 70s took the audience by surprise and became the main attraction of the night.

The group’s performance surpassed the age of the performers as they were surprisingly more energetic. The elderly group’s performance prompted President Khama to get onto the stage and showcased his own dancing skills.

Since most of the songs did not have lyrics but punctuated with the Sesarwa click sounds, the director of ceremony, Kahivaxeua Keharara explained that the performances depicted the way Basarwa interacted with wildlife, their traditional healing processes and the spiritual being of Basarwa.

He said Basarwa culture has been the pillar of tourism attraction in Xaixai. He said Basarwa and Bahereo communities were some of the few tribes proud of their culture and that they were trying their best to hold up to it and pass it to new generation.

The Xaixai Tlhabologo Trust manager, Eric Keharara said the culture of the Xaixai community would become a major player in tourism sector in the Gcwihaba site.


He explained that in showcasing their culture, they hope to attract more tourists at the caves hence an increase in revenue to benefit the community. Kgosi Nxuka Xishee of Xaixai village explained that their rich culture assist them in marketing the Gcwihaba caves as many tourists visit the site.

She thanked government for making the place more visible by developing tourism facilities which she said would go a long way in attracting more tourists hence more revenue for the trusts. Gcwihaba caves are rated amongst the most extraordinary in the world. ENDS