The Culture of Botswana

Home to some of Africa’s deepest wildernesses, Botswana is sparsely populated because of its arid land and dry climate. Botswana's beautiful and well-stocked game reserves are its principal tourist attraction but Gaborone combines the best of Western technology and African tradition to epitomize the modern African city.

Botswana’s culture is predominantly reflective of its numerous ethnic groups, chief among who are the Batswana. Music is integral to life in Botswana and spans a range of popular and folk forms including Batswana church choirs, gumba gumba and hip hop. Children of all ages are taught traditional songs and dances.

The earliest modern inhabitants of southern Africa were the Bushman (San) and the Hottentot (Khoe) and they have lived a largely unchanged lifestyle since the Middle Stone Age. The Kalahari desert is the abode of a dwindling band of Bushman hunter-gatherers whose paintings are renowned. Other prominent artistic communities include Thamaga Pottery and Oodi Weavers, both located in the southeastern part of Botswana. In the northern villages of Etsha and Gumare, women display their skill at crafting baskets from Mokola Palm and local dyes.

Many social welfare needs are met through the provisions of tribal custom. A male dominated society, customary laws allow men to physically punish their wives for wrongdoings and spousal abuse is common. Sexual harassment, rape, and other violence against women is widespread. Polygamy is legal, but is not widely practiced.

While human rights are generally respected in Botswana, there are some reports of abusive police tactics and prison conditions remain poor.