Qani Xiite - San Culture in Botswana

Qani Xiite describes and demonstrates the San Culture - the oldest inhabitants of Botswana. Qani uses music, dance and stories to describe her life.

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Why I Perform Traditional Dance

Qani started traditional dance when she was 6 years old, that was in 1988. Her dancing is divided into 3 themes: hunting dance, healing dance and play/game dance. Qani did some dancing when she was in school.

She left school early, but was given assistance by a Norwegian couple. They helped her to continue with reading and writing. After they left and returned to Norway, Qani was more on her own. It was "then I started thinking of promoting our culture and making some beads. As I have realized that we have lost our culture - that's why I have found it necessary to promote it."

Qani wants other San to benefit from her dancing and talking about San Culture. "My aim, as youth of this country, is to inform others and educate them so that we can be a proud nation with our heritage. "

Saturday, May 13, 2006

To Dance is to Live

Dance as Culture

Qani leads a full dance troupe during an evening of entertainment. You can almost hear the leg beads rattling their rhythmic cadence. Qani is currently writing about the meaning of different dances she performs and the importance of dance for the San People.

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