Traditional music lovers, among them Member of Parliament for Gaborone North, Keletso Rakhudu, as well as former BIFM CEO, Victor Senye, on Thursday evening gathered at Botswana Craft to experience the annual Traditional Music Expo. Dressed in their German print dresses, the women stuck to the dress code to display traditional attire.
Held every first Thursday of December, the music expo serves to commemorate Botswana’s culture and music. The event also serves as a way of promoting the national brands, exposing, and in turn, promoting foreign direct investment.
Guests were treated to traditional cuisine, which included Seswaa (pounded meat), Serobe, Bogobe ja lerotse, Mosutlhane, lephutse, and samp, complete with traditional dessert Lerotse crumble with custard.
As part of the event, various local musicians and record labels are given an opportunity to promote as well as sell their products.
The artists that showcased their talent included Stampore, Ntirelang Berman, Inalegolo Traditional dance group, Dikakapa, Shumba Ratshega and Gong Master, all of whom did not disappoint as they delivered to expectation.
Stampore was the first to take the stage and performed some of his popular songs, including Ha modimo o ka nthusa, which is still a favourite amongst his fans.
Ntirelang Berman took the stage after Stampore and delivered his folk music in style, using his guitar and harmonica. Staging a one man show, Berman performed his collaboration song Lobebe, which he sings with South African motswako artist, Mo Molemi.
Shumba Ratshega had guests chanting for more as he dished out songs from previous albums as well as sampling some from his latest release.
The performances reflected what Botswana has to offer as far as traditional music is concerned .
Inalegolo traditional group performed their tsutsube dance moves. The Basarwa group, which is part of the Kuru Dance festival, is a new comer to the expo.
