Taboos as a socialization, acculturation and communication strategy among the Bayei of Botswana

Abstract

This paper aims at documenting and analyzing the use of taboos as a strategy for socialization, acculturation and communication among members of the Bayei community in North Western Botswana. It is an assessment of how the Bayei use taboos as a socialization agent to communicate, to regulate behaviour, to teach and to impart cultural values. In addition, the paper attempts to deconstruct taboo meaning with an aim of demonstrating its utilitarian values and functions among the Bayei. The data for this paper was largely drawn from Seronga, Shakawe, Gumare and Maun in Botswana. It observes that the Bayei use taboos for guidance and protection in their daily socio-economic activities such as during fishing, hunting and in rites of passage. Preliminary investigations reveal that taboos have a practical value in nurturing, upbringing and the development of Bayei children.of particular interest is the fact that the taboos significantly contribute to the Bayei philosophy of life. Also of interest is the observation that taboos reflect and provide insights into Bayei spirituality and philosophy. Finally, the paper notes that among the Bayei, taboos are at the core of the socialeconomic survival, identity and continuity as a cultural group. The paper applies a discourse analysis theoretical framework to deconstruct taboo meanings. Keywords: Acculturation, communication, culture, discourse analysis, socialization, taboos