BATSWANA KING -KGOSI

A Batswana king used to rule people, set laws monitor the behaviour and makes sure that the village conquers in all sides.

KING'S DUTY-TIRO YA KGOSI

The duty of a king was to make sure that for all the problems that are in the community solution is found in setswana it goes like " kgosi thuthubulo e olela matlakala" a king did by all his power to see people doing what is right and following the rules.A king would set punishment for certain behaviours if the community don't follow the rules set before them.The following are how they king dealt with day to day things:

STEALING-GO UTSWA

Whenever you steal in the village Batswana king would call you at "kgotlheng" at the king's place then you would get beaten with a long thin sticks at the back without wearing anything at all, the sticks will be moisturised with itchy herbs "sebebetswane" so that it hurts.Once you experience that punishment you would not want to be punished again, hence not stealing again.

KING'S BLOOD-TSHIKA YA KGOSI

For a person to get the king's chair have to be a of a king's blood the first born , specially a son is the one who takes a king's thrown and crown to rule the people.The secretes of a king would only run in the family, mostly known by the king's hand only and nobody else.The son would be trained on time to be a king while the father is still is on the thrown, the king would wait until is old to give the thrown to the son child or after death.

WOMEN'S KING-MOSADI WA KGOSI

The women's king was chosen specifically for the king,it was all about the thick blood.They would take a woman who was born in a kingdom to be the king's wife because they knew that woman would know how to treat the king and keep the secretes of a king.However the king was allowed to date more than one woman, so the king will also choose the woman he wanted,the most beautiful in the village.All woman dreamt of being king's wife they knew that a king had it all that will take care of their children and extended families.

KING'S WEALTH-KHUMO YA KGOSI

The king's wealth would not run dry at all in all seasons, the Batswana king will always have cows, sheeps, goats, horses and all kind of domestic animals that you can think of.A tswana king had a hectars where in favorable seasons the servants would plant vegetables so that food are always there.Everyone in the village had a duty of making sure that a king's wealth remains, others will voluntarily give king a cow,sheep or a goat.Others would get a punishment of a car deducted from them.

KING'S DIGNITY-SERITI SA KGOSI

A Batswana king was protected by a witch doctor , a witch doctor would use traditional herbs to protect king's house so that no witch can enter king's house at night.Even the King himself had to consult to the ancestors to ask for protection, a king was always protected to get to a king you had to pass through certain people physically and spiritually.

A KING'S CELEBRATION-GO KETEKA KGOSI

When king is celebrated Batswana people would sing traditional songs and dance while elders are along side the king.The king would kill a cow and invite all the village people so that they can eat some would even go with the food at their places.

KING'S SERVICE- BOTHO BA KGOSI

Like expected a king had eyes everywhere ,so for the people who are suffering in the village a king will give food and assist especially if the family has only a woman and child.

FOR THE SHORTAGE OF COWS- GO NNYELELA GA LERUO

A Batswana king would send more than four man to go look for missing cows or domestic animals ,the people will be given food to carry and water to go to look for those cows for many days.

HUNTING-LETSOMONG

A king used a traditional doctor to ensure the safety of hunters ,so that they can return home safe.The hunters would leave their homes and come back after days holding all the meat on their, usually they would go with dogs to hunt.When they return the village will welcome them with praises and excitement.And they would report to the king first.

Written by: Kagiso sejamoholo