Ambient Music & Scenery of the Okavango Delta | Nkashi: Race for the Okavango | National Geographic

Key Concepts

• Nkashi Pole: A traditional pole used for propelling a mokoro (dugout canoe) through the Okavango Delta. Represents skill, tradition, and connection to the waterways.
• Mokoro: A traditional dugout canoe used for navigating the Okavango Delta.
• Okavango Delta: A vast inland delta in Botswana, central to the cultural and ecological themes of the music.
• Seronga: A specific village within the Okavango Delta, frequently referenced as a place of origin, community, and cherished memories.
• Papyrus Grass: A dominant plant in the Okavango Delta, featuring in both practical life (building materials, fishing) and cautionary tales (fire hazard).
• RraKoi: A figure of respect and guidance, likely a mentor in the art of poling and navigating the Delta.
• Nkhorongo: A traditional game played in Seronga, representing childhood joy and community.
• Willie Makhandane: A respected member of the Seronga community, honored through a song celebrating his life and contributions.

GB's Theme

This instrumental piece begins with a low, atmospheric drone, gradually building in complexity with the addition of higher drones, slow percussion, and a melodic line. The introduction of the marimba and cymbal washes creates a rich, textured soundscape. The piece swells and softens, showcasing dynamic variation before concluding with a return to a more subdued state. The overall mood is contemplative and evocative, setting a tone of reverence for the environment and culture.

Ralf's Theme

“Ralf’s Theme” presents a contrasting upbeat character. It opens with a bright kalimba melody, quickly developing into a more energetic arrangement with percussion, vocalizations, and a chorus. The music builds in intensity before fading out, then repeating the initial kalimba and melody sequence. This theme feels celebratory and lively, potentially representing a specific individual or a joyful aspect of life in the Delta.

Pretty's Theme

“Pretty’s Theme” is characterized by its somber and melancholic tone. It begins with a repeating single piano note, followed by mournful chords. The music swells with percussive melodies and building percussion, culminating in cymbal crashes before ending abruptly. This piece evokes a sense of loss or sadness, potentially foreshadowing themes of remembrance.

Mr. Kgetho's Theme

“Mr. Kgetho’s Theme” is deeply atmospheric and spiritual. It features haunting chords, a man chanting in a local language, and the sounds of a shaker and rain stick. Hopeful melodies emerge from the kalimba and marimba, juxtaposed with the continuing chords. The addition of a drumbeat and further chanting creates a powerful and evocative soundscape. This theme appears to be connected to a significant figure, Mr. Kgetho, and his spiritual connection to the land.

Mpetele Nkashi

“Mpetele Nkashi” is a vocal-driven piece centered around the carving and use of the Nkashi pole. The song features a man speaking in a local language, whispered voices, and driving drums. The chorus repeatedly sings about the desire for a Nkashi pole to navigate the floodplains. The lyrics detail the importance of the pole for crossing waters, reaching ancestral lands, and connecting with the environment. Specific imagery includes islands, bushes, fathers’ canoes, and fishing nets. The soloist’s verses expand on this, referencing the need to learn the art of poling and the importance of the Mogonono tree for crafting the pole. The song emphasizes the cultural significance of the Nkashi pole as a tool for survival, connection to heritage, and exploration.

Key Lyric Excerpt: “♪ Carve a Nkashi pole for me ♪ ♪ I want to pole, crossing the flood plains ♪”

Okavango Polers

“Okavango Polers” celebrates the skilled polers of the Okavango Delta, referring to them as “legends.” The song features guitar, bass, rain stick, and vocalizations. A man sings about the polers’ knowledge of the river and its wildlife. The chorus praises the “elders” who have come, specifically naming Ralf Nkeletsang, Gobonamang Kgetho, Tjadza Tapologo, Lasty Kedisa, and others from various locations (Toromoja, Boro, Seronga, Jao). The song highlights the polers’ innate skill, born from being “born a poler,” and their deep connection to the Delta.

Key Lyric Excerpt: “♪ They know how to pole canoes ♪ ♪ They are our Legends ♪”

The Disappearance of Mr. Kgetho

“The Disappearance of Mr. Kgetho” is a poignant and unsettling piece. It combines percussion, piano (with jazz influences), marimba, drums, and rain stick. The music is characterized by a menacing atmosphere, with metallic chords and a pulsing beat. A woman sings in a local language, lamenting the loss of “Father.” The song builds to a crescendo with strings and cymbal washes, conveying a sense of grief and mourning. The lyrics express a plea for rest and peace for the departed.

Key Lyric Excerpt: “♪ Father ♪ ♪ Father ♪” (repeated throughout, signifying loss and longing)

Mr. Kgetho's Theme (Reprise)

This reprise of “Mr. Kgetho’s Theme” mirrors the original’s atmospheric quality, featuring chanting, shaker, and somber music. It serves as a further expression of grief and remembrance for Mr. Kgetho.

Tatye

“Tatye” (meaning “Father” in the local language) is a deeply emotional tribute to a father figure. It features a woman and man singing about the lessons learned from their father regarding the river and its life. The lyrics emphasize the importance of knowledge passed down through generations, including how to carve a Mogonono tree for a pole, set fish nets, and navigate the waterways. The song also includes cautionary advice about fire safety in the papyrus grass. The theme of environmental friendliness is also present, with the father’s canoe being described as such.

Key Lyric Excerpt: “♪ Father, you have taught us about the things of this river ♪ ♪ You have taught us the life in this river ♪”

Ko Seronga

“Ko Seronga” is a nostalgic and joyful song celebrating life in the village of Seronga. It features bright guitars and a lively rhythm. The lyrics recount childhood memories of playing nkhorongo (a traditional game), sharing experiences with family and friends, and enjoying the natural abundance of the area. The song also touches on humorous anecdotes, such as being stung by wasps and being teased about marriage. The lyrics emphasize the strong sense of community and the simple pleasures of life in Seronga.

Key Lyric Excerpt: “♪ We grew up playing nkhorongo ♪ ♪ In Seronga ♪”

The Race

“The Race” is an energetic and celebratory piece featuring a rapid drumbeat, ululation, and vocalizations. The song calls for participation in a mokoro race, inviting even Mr. Haximbizenda and Mr. Sarefo to join. The lyrics express excitement about seeing the wildlife of the Delta (elephants, hippos, fish, crocodiles) and the opportunity to win. The chorus features chanting and rhythmic vocalizations, creating a sense of urgency and competition.

Key Lyric Excerpt: “♪ Run, run, run, run, run, run! ♪”

Senungu

“Senungu” is a song centered around the porcupine and harvest time. It features a chorus vocalizing and a man singing about the harvest of maize and sorghum. The lyrics describe mimicking a porcupine during a dance and emphasize the importance of community and celebration. The song also includes references to specific locations (Danga, Mbiroba, Skitikiti) and the traditional practice of brewing and drinking. The porcupine’s hunched back is a recurring motif, representing a unique dance style.

Key Lyric Excerpt: “♪ A porcupine moves with a hunched back ♪” (repeated throughout, representing the dance)

Outro

The outro is a somber and reflective piece featuring acoustic guitar, keyboard, and vocalizations. The repeated phrase “We’re here, let’s go” creates a sense of both arrival and departure, suggesting a cyclical journey. The music swells and fades, leaving a lingering feeling of contemplation.

Willie Makhandane

“Willie Makhandane” is a heartfelt tribute to a beloved member of the Seronga community. The song features triumphant keyboard music, a chorus praising Willie, and verses detailing his kindness, generosity, and contributions to the village. The lyrics recount specific memories of Willie’s shop, his willingness to help others, and his positive impact on the lives of those around him. The song emphasizes his legacy and the enduring love and respect he earned from the community.

Key Lyric Excerpt: “♪ We loved you, rest well where you are ♪” (repeated throughout, expressing grief and remembrance)

Synthesis/Conclusion

This collection of songs, composed by Thato Kavinja AKA Koolkat Motyiko and Mikael Rosen, offers a rich and multifaceted portrait of life in and around the Okavango Delta. The music seamlessly blends traditional instrumentation, local languages, and evocative melodies to create a deeply immersive experience. Themes of cultural heritage, environmental connection, community, remembrance, and the passage of time are woven throughout the collection. The songs celebrate the skills and traditions of the Okavango Polers, honor the wisdom of elders like Mr. Kgetho and Willie Makhandane, and capture the joy and nostalgia of life in Seronga. The music serves as a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of the people and the unique beauty of the Okavango Delta. It’s a musical archive of a way of life, a celebration of a community, and a poignant reflection on loss and remembrance.