16 Jan 2017

Dikgosi tsa Ngwao is one of the emerging groups that is steadily making a significant mark in the traditional music charts.

The group consists of 15 active members who broke away from Tjilenje Tje Ngwao traditional dance troupe.

They are into Kalanga music and Hosanna dance.

The dexterity that unfolds when they are on stage leaves audience in great awe. In-fact they are a marvel to watch.

The group leader, Bokani Mokowe said though they were a profit making  entity, their other intention was to showcase cultural practices of Bakalanga.

Mokowe explained that Hosanna dance was an integral part of the Bakalanga cultural practice that have long existed.  

She said the dance was mainly considered as a communication process between the Bakalanga and their gods referred to as Mwale in any matter that needed their attention.

“Hosanna is a sacred dance that is performed in a hill setting for Mwale, especially to request for rain, demonstrating a rain praying ritual” she said, adding that the dance was also performed when one was intensely ill.

Mokowe further said although it was part of the cultural practise, not everyone would participate in the dance except those who inherited the Hosanna spirit from their forefathers.

Thus, she explained that Hosanna spirit was a family heritage and if anyone found in possession of the spirit, they were either taken to Mwale or a prominent traditional doctor to be healed and become a dancer or a Hosanna as they were commonly known.

“We are working closely with some Hosanna elders who have been participating in the dance. They mentor us in several ways,” she said.

Mokowe said their way of performing this dance entails beating traditional drums, clapping hands so as to produce a sound that blend well with the songs, while dancers would hop in a fast pace.

She also highlighted that since they imitate what had always been practised at the hills, their songs were sung in Kalanga, Shona and Ndebele; the languages that were mostly used when communicating with Mwale.

Moreover, she said their performance attire includes black skirts with white tops adding that black and white colours symbolise rain clouds.

They also have myriads across their upper bodies and around their waists, foreheads and also tie matlhoa (lace of cocoons) around their ankles.

Meanwhile, Mokowe said they ought to acknowledge a lot they learnt while they were still part of Tjilenje Tje Ngwao group.

“We are happy that we have managed to work out our differences with our former group leadership and we have established a cordial working relationship with them. We recently had a joint event with them dubbed Goledzwa Festival at Domboshaba,” she said.

Mokowe further said some of the achievements they had made so far include their debut album titled, Botswana that was released under the management of MJOE studio in Francistown. She also said they had benefitted from the country’s golden jubilee independence celebrations as they managed to perform in several ways.

She further said they were working hard to sharpen their skills so as to try their luck in the next Presidential Arts Competition and also release a DVD. BOPA