Botswana Art And Culture

Botswana Art and Culture, tradition, ethnic groups, religious believes, these are what you would know about Botswana. Before the arrival of the colonial missionaries, the people worshipped Modimo, a greater God or Supreme Being who was also representative of the ancestors. They believed that a supernatural being was responsible for the creation of both humankind and the other animals and plants..........

The traditional art of decorating the home has been practised in Southern Africa for centuries although much of this creative art form is unknown to the rest of the world. In 1987, the chance discovery of an exceptionally decorated home convinced Sandy and Elinah Grant that they had to find out if more decorated homes were to be found elsewhere. The result of their seven year quest is this throughly researched book. It provides a visual record of many of Botswana's wonderfully decorated homes and shows them in their proper setting, the magnificent traditional towns and villages. The book describes the changing nature of settlement and home. It describes the characteristics of traditional decoration, introduces the reader to many of the outstanding women who still practice this remarkable vernacular art form, describes the materials and colours they use and the techniques they employ. The book should help to prompt widespread recognition of Botswana's rich cultural heritage.

Don't just see the sights—get to know the people. Botswana is a country of contrasts. Culturally, the people are overwhelmingly Bantu, but with more than twenty different ethnic groups and over thirty languages spoken, the society is by no means homogeneous. Culture Smart! Botswana introduces you to the lives of the people. It looks at the history that has shaped the society and shows the importance of traditional customs and values for both travelers and businesspeople alike. It describes how the Batswana live, work, and play, and how to avoid the pitfalls of cultural misunderstanding. Have a richer and more meaningful experience abroad through a better understanding of the local culture. Chapters on history, values, attitudes, and traditions will help you to better understand your hosts, while tips on etiquette and communicating will help you to navigate unfamiliar situations and avoid faux pas.

Botswana is a landlocked country located in southern Africa. It shares borders with South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. The country has a population of approximately 2.3 million people, and the official languages are English and Setswana. Botswana has a unique history, having been one of the poorest countries in the world at independence in 1966, yet achieving significant economic growth over the following decades. The country has a high-income economy and is classified as an upper-middle-income country by the World Bank. Botswana is known for its diamond industry, which has been a major contributor to the country's economic growth. Despite its economic progress, Botswana also faces challenges such as high unemployment, income inequality, and an HIV/AIDS epidemic that affects a significant portion of the population.

This volume reveals the true cultural and societal wealth of diamond-rich Botswana like no other source available.