Tatolo

In 2009, my family received a kgomo for Tatolo of my favourite older cousin, Percily: my father’s nephew. In my village, a kgomo is given as a form of the very last gift from the nephew to his uncle, after the nephew’s passing, usually, 6 months to a year following his funeral.

The ceremony, always in winter, is called Tatolo: simply translates to death announcement. And it is whereby the uncle is officially told of his nephew’s passing. The kgomo, always slaughtered on the day, is often accompanied by some of the nephew’s possessions: including a coat, axe, and setilo sa dikgole.

Later on, in June 2010, about a year after my father’s funeral, I had to go home for his Tatolo. For me, these were the significant moments in my life where I comprehensively understood the importance of kgomo to us Batswana.

Today, it is my uncle Obanka’s Tatolo. The lesson from my ancestors continues.