04 Feb 2015

She is wears a six inch stiletto, a maxi dress flowing and radiating her petite figure. A modern day professional woman from Mahalapye, beneath her tongue is a rare talent that most Batswana do not have.

She moves her tongue, rapidly, back and forth repetitively while producing a sharp melodious sound. A sound decorated with the wavering, high-pitched and resembling a howl with a trilling quality. According to the Setswana culture, mogolokwane is an art used by women to give praises at weddings and all other celebrations. It is also incorporated in poems.

Ululation as it is commonly known traces back to ancient history of the African culture and it has faded over the years, let alone the youth of today do not know this art. It is also an integral part of most African weddings where women gather around the bride and groom, dancing and ululating exuberantly. 

Also, when a poet is reciting their poem, a woman will add a vibration of ululation in between the poet’s stanzas. Even when a prominent figure appears, the president for example, a woman would stand up and sing praises through the use of ululation.

In addition, different sounds and pitches are produced when someone is ululating, this interiorly depends on the occasion, and it can also be decorated depending on how the person ululates. There is what is called vertical ululation which one swings the tongue from side to side and another known as horizontal ululation which one moves the tongue up and down.

For Patience Matlhabi, a woman in her mid-forties, ululation was a god given talent to her. From the early age of her teenage years, Matlhabi narrated how she never appreciated her talent but her opportunity came when she had to ululate to a blushing bride the year 2009 in Lobatse.

“All the old ladies at the wedding could not ululate so I had to step up and adorn the bride, rejoicing her beauty through mogolokwane”.

Ever since then, Matlhabi mentioned that she embraced her talent. She also added that she is the only one in her family who can ululate. Her firstborn daughter is a poet, while her youngest child was also blessed with the talent of ululation. She stressed that the essence of ululation is its ability to connect generations, and hopefully her daughter will carry the baton.

Further, as culture continues to evolve or become dynamic, the beauty of women gathered in a special occasion celebrating with their tongues and producing music to audience’s ears are slowly being a thing of the past. She also mentioned that, upon discovering her talent she has embarked on taking the professional route. “So far I perform in many cultural functions, as well as corporate events. In the year 2012 I was invited to a cultural event in Midrand, South Africa to ululate there”, said Matlhabi.

In addition, she said that she gets numerous invitations to go and render her services across the country and especially in South Africa, she said this is as Batswana still take the rare talent for granted and they do not realise that one can make a living through this talent, whilst still preserving their culture. ENDS