Oral performance and voice of wisdom: Batswana songs to educate young adults about community health problems

Abstract

The Batswana form one of the largest ethnic groups in Southern Africa. They are found in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia and their language, Setswana, is the most widely spoken in the Southern African region. Batswana like singing and oral performance. They sing on various occasions and compose songs on all social aspects of human life – health [illness], love, marriage, divorce, birth and death. The oral performances of Batswana contain words of wisdom that covertly or overtly educate people about some specific aspects of social life. One important aspect of social life is health, and there are some circumstances and behaviours that can jeopardise the health of community members. This article discusses and analyses some selected Batswana songs that educate and warn the youth and adult community members about some actions that may put their lives at risk