Molepolole — Bakwena tribesmen, led by Kgosi Kgari Sechele III, will on September 18 converge at the Kgotla in Molepolole for a night vigil to mark the beginning of the declaration of Letsema.

Early Saturday morning, the men will travel to a sacred location chosen by Kgosi Kgari III, where he will officially declare the start of the ploughing season.

For many Batswana tribes, Letsema referred to as go bolotsa letsema in Setswana signals the official start of the ploughimg season and rallies all to prepare their fields in anticipation of the rainy season.

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In Bakwena culture, the launch of Letsema is strictly reserved for men.

Kgosi Moffat Bakwena of Lokgwapheng Ward announced the event during a recent Men's Pitso, stating that Kgosi Kgari III will launch the ploughing season from September 18 to 19.

Kgosi Bakwena urged all men in Kweneng to attend the Friday night cultural vigil with enthusiasm.

At the sacred site, the men will take time to discuss pertinent community issues. They will also review the rules and taboos required to ensure a successful harvest. These include a ban on cutting certain trees, such as the Mokgalo or Ziziphus mucronata, known as the buffalo thorn in English and temporary prohibition on the castration of bulls.

Additionally, all participating men must abstain from sexual relations for a specified period. Subsequently, Kgosikgolo and a selected group of elders will venture further into the secluded area to perform a traditional ritual that remains a closely guarded secret among a handful of tribesmen.

As soon as Kgosi Kgari III and the elders return, the men will blow their horns in unison to signal that the ritual has been completed successfully.

The men will then return to their respective villages to share the rules with the public, which the community must strictly follow for the timeframe set by the Kgosi.

Violating these traditions is believed to bring bad luck and severe droughts.