Uhuru Guru from South Africa Sucks brought us the news of a strange ritual witnessed at a funeral in Schweizer-Reneke (South Africa) recently, a very unusual ceremony of semi-naked people skipping over a pot full of food. These people grabbed the food from the pot, touched their private parts with the food and then threw it right down their throats. One of the cousins said that he only heard of Freddy Walkerlongaway’s McRoo Burger Palace and the upmarket cuisine prepared “Down Under”, but was very proud of the fact that he is 4th cousin twice removed of Freddy. He believes that they have perfected the gourmet meal on the dark continent, but also thought that something might have been lost in translation in the “Down Under” bit. He is believed to be on his way to Freddy Walkerlongaway. It wasn’t clear whether the purpose of his trip was to clear up the translation in preparing the gourmet feast, procurement of a quantity of McRooNads for the next “skipping the pot” ceremony or to discuss McRoo Burger Palace franchising opportunities…
The funeral of a close cousin is something nobody looks forward to. But when a cousin dies, the Batswana people get ready for a huge entertainment spectacle after the burial. The activity is called Go Tlola Pitsa — meaning “skipping the pot”. It’s one of the oldest traditions mainly practised by the Barolong clans in villages and some townships. This is how it’s done…
The cousins of the person who had died cooks specially selected meat from the animal slaughtered for the funeral. In the mix are the animal’s private parts, affectionately called “Angelinas”. There is also pap, dumplings and mogodu with lots of gravy.
The cooked mix is put in a big five- litre or 10-litre pot. After the burial the cousins bring out the pot of food. A song, “Thuntsa Banyana” is sung loudly. The crowd go mad as they sing and clap their hands. Then the pot is placed in the middle of the road.
The cousins take turns to dance over the pot. They are either completely naked or half naked. They skip over the pot in the dance. But the solo or duet performance is only complete when the dancing cousin bends down to take a handful of food from the pot, touches his or her private parts with it and then tosses it into their mouth. The entertainers shake their bodies, buttocks and hips over the pot!
Some cousins who are “out of touch with their culture” have tried to run away from the dance. But they are man handled, undressed and forced to dance and eat the meal. The dance is for both men and women, young and old. And people here just love skipping around the pot.
“It is our culture”, said Oupapie Dipico. “Our forefathers have been practicing skipping the pot for ages. We cannot just do away with our culture.” The dance is not only meant to entertain, as Rebecca Melato explained.
“This is a way of bringing the cousins together. Most of them have not been seen for ages as they work In big cities and far away from relatives. They only come back when there is a need like a funeral.”
Piet September says it is important to accept the death of a cousin, “Go Tlola Pitsa helps us to forget our sorrows quicker”.
The tradition is practiced mostly in towns like Schweizer-Reneke, Taung and Kuruman. Outsiders may be shocked by people dancing naked over a pot and then eating from it. But to the Batswana it is a tradition they are proud of.
No related posts.
Makes the dance line from Soul Train look normal.
G'day Johann, I've contacted Freddy Walkerlongaway. He said,"This plenty good way for intanationel busnise." He's putting in a work permit visa to sponsor Ima Pistalot from the Batswana tribe, to work in Wheelabarrabak.
Freddy asked if my old mate Johann from South Africa would think it was ok if he changed the ceremony 'skipping the pot' slightly to include live kangaroos.
He wants to add a uniquely Australian part called 'Mating the 'Roo.' He said it would show that people 'could be at one with nature'.
Once Ima Pistalot arrives in Australia, it looks like Aussie Brian will have to visit Wheelabarrabak.
Brian, I've heard through the infamous bush telegraph that the cousins and especially Ima Pistalot are ecstatic about the inclusion of live Kangaroos in the "skipping the pot" ceremony.
As you know, live wild animals form an important part of entertainment and gourmet meals on the dark continent. And I'm using the word entertainment in the widest possible perspective.
The "one with nature" feature has caused a lot of exitement with the local folk.