Kgomo

“The significance that is manifested in considerable number of the poetic allusions or metaphors suggest a common view of cattle as nurture, sustenance, comfort, and possession of wealth. Traditionally, cattle provided for the needs of the Batswana, and in fiction as in real life, represents wealth and well-being ” (Matjia, 2009, p.viii).

During my fathers’ funeral,  I think 3 dikgomo were slaughtered. Couple of months later, accordingly we (my family) received a kgomo for Tatolo of my favourite older cousin: Percily “Mphese” Ramantele, my fathers’ nephew. The kgomo is given as a form of the very last gift from the nephew to his uncle  – after the nephews’ passing.  Usually 6 months to 1 year following the nephews’ funeral. The ceremony, called Tatolo,  which simply translates to death announcement. Similarly, about a year after my fathers’ funeral, I had to go home – for my fathers’ Tatolo. We were giving the kgomo to his maternal uncles’ family.

For me, these were the significant moments where I comprehensively understood and utterly appreciated the importance of kgomo to us Batswana.

Image: Meleko Mokgosi