Yes. I've been trying to figure out what that phrase in Setswana means. For the unitiated, Setswana is the language of Botswana. They even have a Setswana wikipedia. But even there I couldn't find what this phrase means. Even so, from all the googling, I've at least been able to find out that 'wa' means fall or belong and 'Tsabakela' means to glisten. Which would mean 'Botswana belongs to the Glistening'? Don't know. Tell me if you know what it means. So why am I looking for the meaning of this phrase?
Well, here's why. This the opening phrase of the title track of this very nice BBC / HBO series set in Botswana that I have been watching off and on for the past few days. Its called 'The no. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency'. It is highly entertaining and lovely to watch and is inspired from a book of the same name by Alexander McCall Smith. In fact, I first read the book and then one of my Zambian colleagues told me about the series. And I must say, unlike many other disappointing attempts to make books into movies or TV serials, this one does a fine job of it. Not that they haven't tinkered with the plot and the storyline here and there. And added or deleted some characters. But then, the soul of the book stays intact in the series. Anyway, have a look at the title track. It has some very nice animation and the soulful, straight-from-the-heart voice reminds me of Usha Uthup
Doesn't it? Ok, now press the play button and close your eyes. Don't know about you, but for me the music conjures up images of giraffes peacefully feeding in grasslands. And rhinos minding their own business in the jungles (or the 'bush', as they call it here). And a simpler world where people are still righteous, forthright and honest. Not the world of today where people's morals are all different shades of grey. So, if that's what you pine for as well, this show is definitely worth a watch. On a related note, I wonder where I could get more such lovely, soulful, traditional African music. Its just beautiful. Speaks to my soul. Liberia doesn't seem to have much traditional music. Or maybe I don't know it, not having travelled much into the bush myself. But if there is, I'd love to hear it.
So, all this is part of my Africa education. O, did I mention? Last weekend, I went to have Ethiopian food. And, do you know, they actually have a huge variety of vegetarian dishes? Their food is much like the Indian roti subzi. Actually the roti is more like a dosa, in that it is fermented. But this dosa is made of some other type of brown flour. Injera, this bread is called. And they use teff flour to make it. So, anyway, there's one thing that's certain. Now that I am in Africa, I want to experience as much of it as I can. The cuisine, the music, the people. Its a whole different world. A world that is often ignored. And that is still simple and untouched, for what its worth. I've already been to 3 countries in Africa (even though two of them were just for a couple of days) and I want to see more of Africa. Amen to that!
(PS: I forgot to mention how they keep having 'bush tea' all the while in the show. I think the next food experiment shall definitely involve this bush tea. Amen to that as well!)
Well, here's why. This the opening phrase of the title track of this very nice BBC / HBO series set in Botswana that I have been watching off and on for the past few days. Its called 'The no. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency'. It is highly entertaining and lovely to watch and is inspired from a book of the same name by Alexander McCall Smith. In fact, I first read the book and then one of my Zambian colleagues told me about the series. And I must say, unlike many other disappointing attempts to make books into movies or TV serials, this one does a fine job of it. Not that they haven't tinkered with the plot and the storyline here and there. And added or deleted some characters. But then, the soul of the book stays intact in the series. Anyway, have a look at the title track. It has some very nice animation and the soulful, straight-from-the-heart voice reminds me of Usha Uthup
Doesn't it? Ok, now press the play button and close your eyes. Don't know about you, but for me the music conjures up images of giraffes peacefully feeding in grasslands. And rhinos minding their own business in the jungles (or the 'bush', as they call it here). And a simpler world where people are still righteous, forthright and honest. Not the world of today where people's morals are all different shades of grey. So, if that's what you pine for as well, this show is definitely worth a watch. On a related note, I wonder where I could get more such lovely, soulful, traditional African music. Its just beautiful. Speaks to my soul. Liberia doesn't seem to have much traditional music. Or maybe I don't know it, not having travelled much into the bush myself. But if there is, I'd love to hear it.
So, all this is part of my Africa education. O, did I mention? Last weekend, I went to have Ethiopian food. And, do you know, they actually have a huge variety of vegetarian dishes? Their food is much like the Indian roti subzi. Actually the roti is more like a dosa, in that it is fermented. But this dosa is made of some other type of brown flour. Injera, this bread is called. And they use teff flour to make it. So, anyway, there's one thing that's certain. Now that I am in Africa, I want to experience as much of it as I can. The cuisine, the music, the people. Its a whole different world. A world that is often ignored. And that is still simple and untouched, for what its worth. I've already been to 3 countries in Africa (even though two of them were just for a couple of days) and I want to see more of Africa. Amen to that!
(PS: I forgot to mention how they keep having 'bush tea' all the while in the show. I think the next food experiment shall definitely involve this bush tea. Amen to that as well!)
2 comments:
lemme know how the experiment with bush tea goes..
talks to the soul and all eh? well all i can say is good for you.. its always good to explore other cultures may it be "civilised" or not!!
Enjoiii!!
lets see, i don't know whether they have bush tea in this country. did you check out the song? its amazing! and the last comment, i think i was about to flag it as it was borderline offensive.
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