17 Jun 2013

Power cuts that were experienced on June 16 evening did not frustrate folklore music enthusiasts who thronged Thapong Arts and Visual Arts Centre in Gaborone.

They waited patiently for the power to return so they could listen to the distinctive and memorable songs from the spirited and energetic artists who did not waste any time but instead embarked on an undisturbed trail of dishing out songs through various traditional music instruments even before the master of ceremonies could start the event

The power cut also did the evening good because the setting, which was staged around a bonfire depicted a thorough African evening set up where family members would ensemble after a sumptuous supper and start singing and dancing.

Though some of the instruments needed some electric power to boost their pitch, this did not disturb the evening play but instead made the audience to listen and watch attentively, with a roaring applause at the end or every musical piece.

The chairman of Botswana Folklore Association (BOFA), Joseph Dikgomo, said the evening cultural entertainment was to showcase local folklore talent following a weeklong folklore ensemble workshop, which they conducted in collaboration with Swedish folklore music teachers.      

Dikgomo said they had realised that many Batswana were solo artists and therefore could not reap their rewards hence the need for staging such a workshop to bring them together to form an ensemble which would be more appealing and could provide a good living.

The cultural exchange between Botswana and Sweden started two years ago after the visit by the Swedish king who made this possible and ultimately Goran Premberg and Susan Lind who are folklore music experts came to conduct seminars.

According to Dikgomo, the end result of this cultural exchange was to see this music genre being extend to high learning institutions such as University of Botswana.  Ends