A feast is not a feast without nama le jwala. Dikgomo Basotho!
According to the African calendar, the New Year starts after the dry season, which is after winter in Central South Africa (Regions of the Western Cape Province experience winter rainfall). Especially amongst the Basotho, the African new year start therefore in August (Phato), known for the blowing winds, clearing mother earth and refreshing the ground with showers of Spring.
Africans or Basotho in particular, do not follow the Gregorian calendar as is the practice, but rather rely on the solstice and position of the moon, the natural indicator of seasonal rotation. As most have observed, the full moon occurred on 15 to 16 July. This full moon experience has an expression in Sesotho: “Ha kgwedi e toloka”.
To mark the African New Year, fields are ploughed, and the very first harvest is brought as an offering to Tlatlamatjholo or God.
It is against this background that the MEC for the Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Mr Dan Kgothule will be hosting the celebration of the African New Year at the Basotho Cultural Village on 31 July 2011 starting from 10h00.
The celebration will feature arts and crafts exhibitions, horse demonstrations, cultural performances as well as presentations. This year’s celebration will be hosted in collaboration with the Free State Provincial House of Traditional Leaders.
Your media house is cordially invited.
Enquiries:
Tankiso Zola
Tel: 051 410 4742/ 4786/ 4719
Source: Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation
Province
