Botswana Festivals

What: Maitisong Festival

Maitisong is a Setswana word with several meanings: the place where people gather'in the evening to be entertained: traditionally the family hearth where the young gathered to hear the stories from the old: the place where the culture is shared and passed on.

Where: Various published venues around Botswana's capital city, Gaborone. The events include four outdoor and one ticketed indoor venue.

When: For nine days during March, April or May

Why:  This annual event is the largest performing arts festival in Botswana, a great showcase for both established and up and coming local talent and who needs a better excuse for a party?

The program includes theatre, traditional music and dance, marimba bands, choirs and a range of more western-influenced styles of dance, music and even cooking! In between scheduled appearances impromptu perfomances are made by musicians, comics and dancers. The city of Gabarone adopts a carnival atmosphere and is inundated by street vendors selling food and drink for the guests attending either one of the four outdoor or the indoor ticketed program.

 http://www.maitisong.co.bw/

6 May 2008