The population of Botswana is just over 1.6 million people. Botswana is named after its most prevalent ethnic group, the Tswana. Collectively, the people are known as Batswana; individuals are referred to as Motswana. Over 17 percent of the land in Botswana has been designated as a game reserve or national park.The ’80s hit movie The Gods Must Be Crazy was set in Botswana. Ditschwanelo is a premier documentary film festival centering on human rights that is held in Gaborone in March of every year.Gaborone is also the center for the Maitisong Performing Arts Festival every spring.
The people and their land
Botswana is considered the cradle of civilization by many. It’s here that the first evidence of modern Homo sapiens has been found. By holding tightly to their traditional past, incorporating the influence of their former British government and finding their own voice on the world stage as a newly independent nation, Botswana has become a country that knows its past and has a clear eye on the future.
The past
Much like the herds of animals that traverse the country following the rains and vegetation, the *first inhabitants of Botswana were travelers hoping to find a safe home for their families. The first farmers and herders sought out the best patches of land to start villages. Generations later, these same families would be driven away, fleeing tribal wars and the slave trade. Others struck out to make their fortune from the ivory and cattle trades. For most of its history, Botswana was a country on the move as its people worked to carve out a life in this difficult climate.
The present
Today, the Botswanan landscape plays as important a role as it did for those first people. The different regions of Botswana hold people with different goals. The flat, firm land is a place of prosperity where major cities and big businesses have bloomed. The sandier regions are home to those who enjoy the traditional way of life and live as their ancestors did. In the lush areas and vegetation-filled patches of the rest of the country, you’ll find tourist and safari lodges where residents of Botswana hope to share the beauty of their country with those who live a world away.
A blend of both
Botswana’s culture today is a healthy mix of the old and the new. Traditional crafts and status symbols are alive and well in an area that’s learning to adapt to Western influence. Popular forms of entertainment, such as music and dance, reflect the ways of life of those who came before, and popular European sports show the influence that British rule has had on the country.
Botswana is a country in a constant state of evolution. Come see how the past and the present blend together in this beautiful land.
Not your ordinary tourist suitcase
Remember to bring the following things along with you on your trip to Botswana:
Neutral-colored clothing to blend in with the environment (brown, gray, olive, khaki)BinocularsLots of film and batteries (or a 12-volt charger that you can hook up to a car charger port) for your cameraEducational gifts, such as books and art supplies, for the local people (especially children), to show consideration for the use of their land
Also remember to keep your bags under 26 pounds (12 kilograms) if you’ll be traveling on a light aircraft from point to point within Botswana and under 44 pounds (20 kilograms) for major-airline flights.
Be respectful. Before you take a photograph of any local person, ask their permission.
Read up to make yourself familiar with the Botswanan climate, customs and culture in order to be best prepared and to reduce the chance of offending any Batswana.Buy local products and services to support Botswana’s economic initiatives (but be aware that some informal transportation is unreliable).Don’t waste water.Don’t litter.Be aware
No comments:
Post a Comment