Microsoft Word - PhD Thesis Final.pdf - University of Limpopo ...

their distinctive dinaka dance form, in which a group of men stamp their feet
heavily on the ground when dancing to the heavy sound of the beating of
the drums and the flutes blown by each dancer. The Bahananwa men are
even known in big cities for this kind of dance form. On the other hand, the
Bakone women are known for their beautiful traditional dancing and singing
form, which is known among local people as mmapadi or koša ya dikhuru.
Because of the eagerness of Blacks to revert to their African past, today all
these traditional dance forms are even performed by school learners and
small kids. This was unheard of during the height of the western cultural
supremacy in South Africa. People who danced to dinaka and mmapadi
during the domination of imposed western influences, were perceived as
heathens who were backward 616 . Only Christians and “educated” individuals
were regarded as enlightened.
Another social custom with which the Makgabeng communities still identifies
with is the circumcision school. The rock shelters in the Makgabeng and
Blouberg mountains yielded information which indicates that circumcision
schooling was long practiced in that area. This practice is directed by the
chiefs and their trusted traditional doctors and healers. Around the
Makgabeng area, reputable clans of circumcision principals included
Mautla, Ngwepe, Phukubje, and Madibana 617 . Traditional doctors and
616 Interview, Mmachuene Georgina Setumu, Norma A village, 2 January 2003.
617 Interview, Elias Monyebodi, Acting Headman of Ga-Monyebodi village, Ga Monyebodi
village, 22 December 2002.
357