26 May 2026

The rich cultural heritage of Ngamiland came alive in a colourful display of traditional food, music, dance and community spirit as the 13^th edition of the Ngamiland Cultural Festival got underway at Cresta Riley’s Hotel in Maun on Saturday.

The festival, which attracts cultural groups, artists, community members and visitors from across the region, serves as a platform to celebrate and preserve the unique traditions that have shaped Ngamiland’s identity over generations.

From the aroma of traditional delicacies to the rhythmic sounds of cultural performances, the event offered participants an opportunity to reconnect with their roots while sharing experiences and strengthening social bonds.

In an interview with BOPA, Guest Relations Officer at Cresta Rileys, Ketlanae Segapio, said the primary objective of the event was to showcase Botswana’s diverse cultural heritage and allow people to experience it through food, music and traditional practices.

She said visitors were treated to a variety of local dishes including seswaa, tswii, tlhapi and bogobe jwa lerotse, while cultural performances and music provided entertainment throughout the day.

“The festival is about celebrating who we are as Batswana and it gives people an opportunity to appreciate our traditional foods, music and customs while creating memorable experiences for families and visitors,” she said.

One of the attendees, Joyce Sepepe, said the festival provided more than entertainment, describing it as a valuable space for learning and interaction among people from different backgrounds.

She said she particularly enjoyed sampling traditional foods such as tswii and thako, adding that engaging with other participants enabled her to exchange ideas and gain new perspectives on culture and community life.

“The food is wonderful, but what I enjoyed most is meeting different people and learning from their experiences, it is through such interactions that we continue to preserve and pass on our cultural knowledge,” she said.

Another participant, Ditiro Mathula, said the festival demonstrated the power of culture in bringing people together. She noted that gatherings of this nature strengthened family and community ties while creating opportunities for younger generations to learn about traditions and customs that defined their identity.

“Cultural festivals unite friends and families hence they help us appreciate the different cultures around us and remind us of the values that bind our communities together,” she said. The festival continued into the evening with performances from renowned local artists including Ezra Neethings, Koolkat Motyiko, Stiga Sola, Machesa Traditional Group, Coster FX and several disc jockeys. Beyond the festivities, the annual event continues to play an important role in promoting cultural preservation, fostering social cohesion and showcasing the rich heritage that makes Ngamiland one of Botswana’s most vibrant cultural destinations. ENDS