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Blog Entry 

I come and know from a Batswana household, where my grandparents and parents instilled in me respect to everyone, especially my elders. In this blog entry, I will talk about two beliefs that have shaped my worldview and others in my ethnic group. Those two beliefs are circumcision and the distribution of the womans clothes the day after her funeral.

Circumcision in the Batswana nation

In the Batswana nation, as a boy child, you are required to go "ko Thabeng", which translates to "going to the mountain". As a boy child you are then required to go to the mountain and undergo a transformation. This "process" happens over a span of a days or weeks, depending on your cooperation and your showing of "men" qualities. My grandparents and their grandparents have been doing this for generations, believing strongly on this. The elders view this, as a transition from being "moShimayama", which means boy, into being "Monna", meaning a man. Circumcision then takes place. Having to grow up under a 'diluted' Batswana household, I, myself did not go to the mountain for the "transformation", whereas I went to a hospital for circumcision. I assume that my parents knew that that wasn't the only way of becoming a man and having read about the fatalities and the lack of hygiene of "ko thabeng". Has this changed my worldview? Yes and no. Indeed, it has changed the worldview of those around me. My friends believe that going to the mountain, is the only way of becoming a man. Yet, this hasn't changed my worldview because I don't feel like I am a small boy just because I did not go to the mountain but a hospital. Although, again, it has changed my worldview, I now believe that it is tradition, and it is important to my people. 

Womans clothes the day after a funeral

According to the Batswana nation, a woman's clothes, exactly the day after the funeral, her clothes are to be given out/distributed amongst the family and friends or community. I witnessed this at my grandmother's funeral, where her clothes were given right away, the day after the funeral. It has been done so through many generations, and I asked my mother why. I felt like it was harsh and heartless that other people will be wearing my grandmothers' clothes, and it hasn't even been a week since her passing. But it is said that this is done to make sure that the person who passed, their belongings don't go to waste, but have purpose and meaning. Ever since that day, my worldview has changed, so to speak, it has helped me that even after the passing of someone, their belongings still have purpose and meaning, and their belonging won't go to waste.  

In conclusion, this blog has mentioned two beliefs in the Batswana culture, that have been going on for generations. Those beliefs being; circumcision and the giving away of the woman's clothes and belongings the day after the funeral. Both beliefs have changed my worldview, as mentioned above.