Abstract

This article reports on research that was conducted among the Bakwena at the Molepolole main Kgotla (Tribal Administration Centre or traditional law court) as the chief’s place is known in Setswana (the Tswana language spoken in Botswana) in the Kweneng District of Botswana. The researchers were motivated by the information they gathered during their annual ethnomusicology class excursions to Molepolole. The research focused on the revitalisation and conservation of the traditional use of the lenaka la tholo (Setswana for kudu horn) through observation of its construction and practical performances. Nowadays, young people do not consider practising traditional music. Thus, the researchers found it necessary to embark on the research to revitalise the musical use of the traditional kudu horn. Much as culture is not static, the researchers found this aspect of culture to be relevant to the current life situation of the Bakwena among whom the research was conducted. The aim of the research was to find out what the Bakwena still practise as well as what could be documented for future use and reference about kudu horn blowing. The main reason for conducting this type of research is that performance of the lenaka la tholo is almost obsolete and there is a great need for its revival among the elders and youth of Botswana at large. During their annual visits, the researchers collected data by means of oral interviews, recordings, and observation of practical construction of the instrument and its performances. In carrying out the research, some information was also obtained from different repositories such as books, journals and the internet.

摘要

本文报道了在博茨瓦纳Kweneng区的Setswana（博茨瓦纳所说的茨瓦纳语）在首席大法官的住所，在Molepolole主Kgotla（部落行政中心或传统法律法院）的Bakwena中进行的研究。研究人员受到他们在年度分子音乐学类游览Molepolole的过程中收集到的信息的激励。这项研究的重点是振兴和保护lenaka la tholo的传统用途（Setswana for kudu horn）通过观察其构造和实际表现。如今，年轻人不再考虑练习传统音乐。因此，研究人员发现有必要着手进行研究，以振兴传统kudu号角的音乐用途。尽管文化不是一成不变的，研究人员发现文化的这一方面与进行研究的巴克瓦纳目前的生活状况有关。该研究的目的是找出Bakwena仍在实践的内容以及可以记录下来的内容，以备将来使用和有关kudu吹角的参考。进行此类研究的主要原因是lenaka la tholo的性能博茨瓦纳的老年人和年轻人几乎已经过时，非常需要复兴。在年度访问期间，研究人员通过口头访谈，录音和观察仪器的实际结构及其性能来收集数据。在进行研究时，还从不同的存储库中获得了一些信息，例如书籍，期刊和互联网。