Tswana Wedding Traditions – The Only Guide You Need!

The Tswana people are a Bantu ethnic group living in Southern Africa, primarily in Botswana. This tribe has a rich cultural heritage that focuses on family relationships, traditional music, and traditional ceremonies.

Tswana wedding traditions revolve around symbolism and tradition. Notable characteristics of Tswana weddings are the roles played by the elders and extended families, traditional décor and wedding attire, negotiations and ceremonial exchanges, and the all-important bride price.

Coming up below is a look at the Tswana traditional wedding food menu, Tswana wedding dance steps, and Tswana wedding décor.

Tswana Traditional Wedding Food Menu

The Tswana serve a variety of hearty, colorful, and flavor-filled dishes at their traditional weddings. These include:

1. Morogo (wild spinach) – This is a tasty side dish made from various types of wild spinach which are boiled and sautéed with onions, tomatoes, and spices.
2. Seswaa (Pounded meat) – This meal is made by pounding boiled beef or goat meat until it is tender, and then seasoning it with salt.
3. Seswaa le Morogo – This is a combination of pounded meat and wild spinach, a must-have at every Tswana wedding.
4. Mabele (Pearl Millet) – This is porridge made from pearl millet. One can either prepare it as a savory dish or a sweet dish.
5. Bogobe jwa Lerotse (Sour Porridge) – This porridge is made from fermented sorghum or millet, and is served alongside meat dishes.
6. Mogodu (Tripe) – Tswana wedding traditions demand that this dish made from a cow’s stomach lining must be served at every wedding! The tripe is stewed and served with a thick maize porridge called Pap.
7. Dijo tsa Setswana (Traditional Snacks) – These include Boerewors (sausages), Mokoto (cow’s feet), and Magavinya (deep-fried dough).
8. Beverages – Homemade ginger beer must be available at every Tswana wedding, as well as fruit juices, tea, and soft drinks.
9. Diphaphata (Fried Bread) – This fried bread is served as an accompaniment to the main dishes served at the wedding.
10. Desserts – Tswana traditional wedding desserts include Serobe (tripe dessert) and Marobela (peanut brittle).

Tswana Wedding Dance Steps

Tswana wedding traditions also include wedding dances and dance steps, because the Tswana love to dance and celebrate!

1. Tuhitsa – This energetic dance features lively footwork with lots of stomping and tapping by participants standing in a circle.
2. Phathisi – This slow and graceful dance is characterized by deliberate steps and gentle swaying of hips and legs. This dance is also performed by people standing in a circle.
3. Pula – The Pula dance is named after the Tswana word for rain. This dance symbolizes blessings for the couples and is a popular choice with wedding guests. The guests stand in a circle, hold hands, and move in a rhythmic circular motion to the beat of the music.
4. Setapa – The Setapa dance steps are performed in a graceful and synchronized manner. Dancers form a line and then move together as they move their arms gracefully.
5. Digkafela – This dance is performed by women. The dance steps include graceful arm movements and controlled footwork, all displayed elegantly.

Tswana Wedding Décor

Tswana wedding décor is a true display of the vibrant Tswana culture! Here are a few elements that one can use at a traditional wedding.

1. Traditional motifs – Use Tswana traditional motifs to decorate banners, serviettes, and wedding favors.
2. Wedding colors – Traditional Tswana colors are earthy and vibrant, and include black, white, green, and red.
3. Beadwork – One can use beadwork in traditional colors to decorate garlands, centerpieces, and wedding favors.
4. Khiba (Tswana fabric) – The Khiba fabric is a must-have at every traditional Tswana wedding. This colorfully patterned fabric is used as table runners, chair sashes, and drapery.
5. Traditional mats and rugs – Lay these on the floor or hang them on the walls to give the venue a cultural and cozy atmosphere.
6. Traditional thrones or chairs – Culturally the bride and groom sit on these during the wedding. These thrones are decorated using beads, Tswana fabrics, and beads.
7. Traditional utensils – Calabashes and pottery are used as candle holders, centerpieces, and vases.
8. Floral arrangements – Native flowers and traditional foliage are used to give the wedding a cultural and natural feel.
9. Traditional musical instruments – Spice up the décor with a few traditional drums, shakers, and marimbas.
10. Traditional spears and shields – Spears and shields can be placed all around the venue to give it a traditional feel. The more unique they are, the better!

The elements of Tswana wedding traditions listed above, when put together in the right way, will result in a successful Tswana wedding that people will talk about long after it’s over!