The Harvest:
The effects of drought on the ‘Dikgafela’ ritual
During a visit to the village of Kanye in Botswana, an exploration of the history of the Bangwaketse tribe revealed the significance of the Dikgafela ritual, a celebration of the harvest that is only performed when the region receives sufficient rainfall. The project aims to examine the relevance of African mythology, particularly rainmaking, in the design of spaces and memorials, not only for preservation and commemoration, but also to adapt these practices to the changing climate.
An analysis of the procession was conducted to understand the ritual’s spatial and landscape relationships, focusing on the Great Silos where the harvest is stored and the Royal Bangwaketse Court. It was discovered that the silos are no longer in use due to decreased rainfall and harvest, leading to a decline in the frequency of the ritual. Additionally, the ritual of rainmaking, last publicly performed in the 1900s, has become more challenging due to climate change and low soil fertility.
The project establishes a link with landscapes of memory by proposing the integration of cultural practices into the design of space by proposing the creation of a Batswana Mythology Interpretation Centre and a memorial route to educate the community about the rainmaking rituals and preserve their memory while raising awareness about the vulnerability of these traditional practices in the face of environmental challenges. The design incorporates the principles of a Kgotla, making the Grain Silos a central space for preserving knowledge and cultural identity. Furthermore, a sustainable landscape water catchment system is suggested to harvest rainwater and store it in the grain silos during periods of drought.
