Monday, May 31, 2010

Letlhafula

The Setswana word for autumn is letlhafula (lah-CLAY-foo-lah). This past weekend, the girls and I went to the Letlhafula Festival, being sponsored by Orange (cell phone and Internet service provider). The festival was held at The Courtyard Restaurant of Botswanacraft.

The festival was an all day event, running from 9:00-5:00. We were advised to buy tickets early for this event, because it would sell out. Indeed it did. When we arrived, "Sold Out" signs were posted on the entrance gate. The girls and I arrived around 11:30 and stayed for several hours. Next year, I would like to arrive earlier and stay a longer time. The traditional Botswana music and dancing were fascinating to watch!

Here are some photos and explanations of what we experienced. I am SO glad we went! Some of the traditions of Botswana, all in one place! Sidenote: we were the only Americans there (that I saw). All the Batswana involved in this event (servers, patrons, etc.) were ready and seemed excited to answer the many questions I had about the food, customs and such. A young gentleman and I struck up a conversation, and he was most helpful in explaining several of the customs to me. Great, great experience.

Upon entering, we saw this long line of potjies (probably about 15). The smells were wonderful. I knew there would be some pap and seswaa in some of the pots!

Notice the long wooden 'spatula' (it was flat on one end) for stirring the food.

We noticed everyone drinking something...and found our way to this lady - serving this ginger drink from a hollwed-out gourd. (Most people were drinking from gourd cups.) Sadly, we had to use styrofoam cups. Notice the people in the background with the gourd cups.


This is a glimpse of the drink in my cup. I was told this drink is usually served at celebrations, such as weddings. The drink is made with ginger root, pineapple and raisins. The flavor was good and had a spicy kick.


While listening to the musicians, each table was provided a small basket of berries, nuts and such to nibble on. Our basket had some type of small berries and also peanuts, including boiled peanuts. R really liked the boiled peanuts. I can't remember the last time I had boiled peanuts! Delicious!


Musicians and dancers on stage. They were great.

Notice the 'straps' around the guy's legs? I don't know what they're made of, but I believe they contain dry beans, so that when the dancers dance - this wonderful sound is produced. All the dancers wore these.




This guy is playing a type of guitar, I was told. The body of the instrument is bamboo.



Before we went through the serving line - each and every person had warm/hot water poured over their hands from this brown pottery jar. The water which poured over your hands was collected in the basin. There were no towels. Glad I was wearing jeans.



Pumpkin. Very good. A little bit of butter and some brown sugar would have been really tasty. Tasted like squash.

Yummy pap. Can't have a traditional Botswana meal without pap!

Veggies - mushrooms, onions and I'm not sure what else. Very tasty.

These are mompani worms. A Botswana tradition. I seriously thought about trying one...not some, one. But, I decided not to. Maybe next year. I'm told they're pretty good - but crunchy.



B with her plate of food....she was thrilled to get a chicken leg (it was boiled, so it looked funny). She tried the pumpkin and pap.


This was my plate. I sampled everything on my plate. Some of the foods I ate - I had no idea what it was. I don't think I had any goat. Just beef, veggies and pap.

Next I need to work on getting some of the video uploaded from the musicians.

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