Setapa Traditional Dance From Botswana

Setapa is one of many traditional dances originating from the Tswana speaking people of southern Africa who today inhabit Botswana, as well as parts of South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Setapa is a dance that celebrates the harvest season, letlhafula, and is characterised by intricate tapping footwork and expressions of joy.

Buskers at Maboneng Precinct in Johannesburg performing Setapa.

There is an incredible variety of traditional dance that can be seen on display amongst Tswana speaking people in southern Africa. These dances vary in their expression and meaning, and have been performed by Tswana tribes since time immemorial.

Setapa is one of the traditional dances that originate from the Tswana people of southern Africa. Other common dance styles include Borankana, Phathisi and Selete. Dance styles such as Tsutsube, Ndazola, Hosana, Huru and Mokomoto can also be seen on display in Botswana, but these dances originate from some of the country’s other ethnic tribes.

Setapa comes from the Bangwaketse tribe of Botswana. The Bangwaketse are one of the eight principal tribes in Botswana, and are ethnic Tswana. Their capital village is Kanye, located in the Southern District of Botswana.

The name Setapa comes from the Setswana phrase "go tapa tapa" describing the tapping motion of the feet during the dance. Although the dance is widely performed across Tswana speaking tribes now, this dance style used to only be seen during the harvest season, letlhafula, typically in the month of April, with all-night performances out in the fields as well as at the village kgotla - the central administrative hub and meeting place in Tswana villages.

During Setapa performances, traditionally, girls would sing, clap hands and ululate, whilst the boys would do most of the dancing, with plenty of whistling to express joy. Today, both men and women engage in Setapa performances.