Oabona Moses Sello
Our Lady of Carmel Mission School
contact: 73352030
Abstract
This ethnographic study explored men’s cultural duty towards
the dead among Bakgatla Ba Kgafela (BBK) in Mabalane village; Botswana.
Previous studies on death among BBK have paradoxically been premised in
Mochudi; Botswana whilst employing a generalized approach to an otherwise broad
phenomenon. However, this ethnographic study sought to be unique and offer
cultural insights about BBK from outside Mochudi with emphasis on men’s cultural duty. Its guiding
questions were; to what extent have men
maintained their selfless cultural duty towards the dead and what are the
noticeable changes that exist with regards to this duty. The study was
ethnographic and used a functionalist perspective to unpack this cultural duty.
Participants’ observations, key informant interviews, personal communications
and archived documents analysis were used to collect data. Data and field work
experiences were condensed into descriptive themes relative to men’s cultural
duty. Key findings indicated; consistency in adherence to men’s cultural role, adherence
to ethical codes, order in serving food as well as impromptu meetings. Despite
proudly maintaining this cultural duty, some inevitable cultural changes exist
such as financial contribution towards digging tools and cooking times. The
study concludes that, men at Mabalane village have generally maintained their
cultural duty towards the dead albeit with some inevitable cultural
adjustments. In fact, their cultural duty is still being envied by villagers
and neighbouring BBK villages along the Madikwe river in the Kgatleng district.
Keywords: Death, Grave digging, Burial, Functionalism,
Ethnography, Cultural duty, Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela (BBK).
