Early beauty standards in Botswana
Beauty Stories@beautystories
8 hours ago
Early beauty standards in Botswana, like in many pre-colonial African societies, were deeply intertwined with culture, spirituality, social status, and the practical realities of life in a semi-arid environment. They were expressive, communal, and symbolic, rather than adhering to a single, rigid physical ideal.
Here is a description of the key elements that defined early beauty among the major ethnic groups, primarily the Tswana (the majority group), as well as the San (Basarwa) and Kgalagadi.
Core Philosophical Foundations
· Social and Ritual Significance: Beauty was not primarily about individual vanity but about displaying one's role, age, marital status, and achievements within the community.
· Health and Vitality: A strong, healthy body capable of work, childbearing, and survival in a challenging environment was inherently beautiful. Smooth, glowing skin and well-cared-for hair indicated health and good hygiene.
· Spiritual Protection: Many adornments and practices were believed to ward off evil spirits, bring good fortune, or connect with ancestors.
· Skill and Patience: The time and artistry invested in creating intricate hairstyles or crafts were themselves admired as beautiful qualities.
Key Elements of Beauty and Adornment
1. Body Scarification (Go Ipaka/Go Tshwaya)
· Purpose: This was a major form of permanent adornment. Scar patterns, created by making small cuts and applying ash or specific herbs, served as rites of passage (especially for girls entering womanhood), denoted clan affiliation, and were considered highly attractive.
· Placement: Common on the stomach, back, thighs, and face. Each pattern had a name and meaning.
2. Hairstyling as a Canvas
· Hairstyles were elaborate and communicative, indicating age, social stage, and ethnicity.
· Young Children: Often had their heads shaved or kept very short hair.
· Adolescents and Unmarried Women: Wore more complex styles, often involving braiding (go bola mosese).
· Married Women: Styles became even more elaborate. The Tswana often favored a central crest-like style or carefully sectioned and shaped patterns. Hair was dressed with a mixture of animal fat (from cattle or goats), ochre (sebilo), and aromatic herbs like lengana (wild rosemary), which gave a distinctive reddish hue and pleasant scent. This mixture also protected the hair and scalp from the sun and dryness.
· Men: Among warriors and men, hairstyles could also be significant, sometimes featuring ochre and distinctive cuts.
3. The Use of Ochre and Animal Fats
· The application of a mixture of red ochre (mosebetsi or sehlo) and fat (like motsoko wa kgomo - butterfat) was central to the Tswana aesthetic.
· This paste gave the skin a distinctive, luminous red sheen that was the epitome of beauty and cleanliness. It also served as a practical sunscreen, insect repellent, and moisturizer in the dry climate.
4. Jewelry and Accessories
· Materials: Jewelry was made from locally available materials: carved bone, ivory, ostrich eggshell beads, copper (and later, trade beads and brass).
· Types: Necklaces, bracelets, and anklets were common. Heavy anklets, in particular, were worn by women and were considered beautiful for the sound they made and the way they influenced gait.
· The "Digagabi" (Leg Rattles): Worn by dancers, usually men, these were made from cocoons or insect pods filled with seeds and were central to performance and movement, adding an auditory dimension to beauty.
5. Clothing and Skins
· Before European fabric, people wore skirts and cloaks made of treated animal skins (kaross). The quality, preparation, and decoration of these skins indicated skill and status. A beautifully softened and decorated kaross was a valued item.
Ethnic Group Variations
· The San (Basarwa): Their beauty culture focused intensely on the use of ochre, fat, and aromatic herbs for skin and hair. Intricate beadwork made from ostrich eggshell was highly prized. Scarification was also practiced. Hairstyles were often small, tight braids or locks.
· The Kgalagadi: Similar to the Tswana in many practices, they also made extensive use of ochre and fat, with adaptations to their desert environment.
Performance and Movement
Beauty was dynamic. The grace, strength, and skill displayed in traditional dances like the Setapa, Tsutsube, or Phathisi were essential aspects of attractiveness. Rhythmic movement, agility, and stamina were highly admired.
Colonial Impact and Change
The arrival of European missionaries and colonial administrators in the 19th and early 20th centuries brought profound change. Western clothing, hairstyles, and beauty ideals were promoted, often while denigrating indigenous practices like ochre use and scarification as "uncivilized." This led to a decline in some traditions, though many persist or have been adapted.
In summary, early beauty standards in Botswana were a holistic system where the decorated body was a map of one's identity, a testament to health, a product of ritual, and a display of communal artistry. The glowing red sheen of ochre-covered skin, the intricate patterns of braided hair and scars, and the sound of crafted jewelry together created a culturally rich and deeply meaningful aesthetic.
