A competition of live choral songs and dancing is common in certain parts of Botswana for the festive season, particularly around Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day. Competition performances usually include feasting for the performers. One of these performances is called Dikopelo.
Dubbed the authentic traditional music of the Bakgatla ba Kgafela tribe in Mochudi, Dikopelo is a form of choral singing and dancing that is performed without any instrumental accompaniment. Dikopelo music involves vocal singing and dance in a patterned choreography in which people from a particular area join together to form a choir.
One choir challenges the other by issuing them a challenge, and the two compete in a contest displaying their unique styles and dance patterns. It is believed that they sing songs not only to celebrate the history and culture of their community, but also to impart information about contemporary issues including social and political trends, cultural practices and beliefs, violence, poverty, HIV and AIDS, and political corruption.
The preparation of a Dikopelo begins with the assembling of a selection of songs to be performed over the festive season. During these daily practices, an individual is required to come up with an original composition or a rehash of a popular tune. The music in the original composition would then be harmonized by adding other parts, such as voices for the soprano, alto, tenor, and bass.
In the practice sessions, during which members contribute to the song, a lot of time is spent on refining the song. These sessions are held in the evenings, and they begin around October and run until shortly before Christmas.
During these rehearsals, the focus is on polishing the song to make it perfect for the impending performances. Attention is also paid to other aspects of the impending performances, such as making sure that appropriate attire has been chosen and that everyone has their outfit ready for the event.
In Dikopelo, close family members and neighbors are involved in common practice, providing mutual support when necessary. Women, men, and children may all participate in the practice, but experienced older practitioners direct the practice and pass on their techniques through instruction and observation. Unfortunately, this element of Dikopelo is not as widespread as it used to be.
While Dikopelo originated as a communal event performed on farmlands, due to the decline in the number of farmers, many choirs have relocated to villages, where modernization and the entertainment industry also make the practice of Dikopelo more difficult. This has also led to a reduction in the number of knowledgeable practitioners capable of explaining its significance.
Despite Dikopelo's low viability, the community and practitioners are committed to preserving it. This is demonstrated by the willingness of those in the community to compete against groups from other districts, and by efforts to revive Dikopelo so it can serve the community to promote positive messages and protect young people from social ills.