Have we forgotten where we come from??

Maboea, mothapama O neng o thapamele marena
Wa thapamela bo Letlatsa le Lephatsoeana
Ke motho wa Sekoele sa Mathulela
Motho wa Nthudisane, wa Phadi
Ke Seuna se pelo, mora Nkoehatse
Se ba una se batabola moriri
Ba habo bona basalle ba lla.

Mohapi wa diphaulela, Maboea
Ya neng a hape tsabo Lekobane
Tse neng di hamelwa Papa molemeng
Ha o le noko, ha o latellwe
Ha o le nook o hlaba Matebele

These are praise names for the Maboea clan, looking at them the other day i asked myself whether they still of value to me or can they be regarded as a pair of socks with holes and disregarded at the back of my mind.

We should be careful on how we regard our history and culture because it was the same history that tought us that to know where you going, you also have to know where you've been. I've often wondered in the past where a few of my family members who grew up in the suburbs or 'modern' era have found the passion to speak or research about our history and culture, from Kutlwano always preaching to me the importance of family and looking out for the younger to Nomonde always staying on the forfront of knowing our culture.

A few weeks ago I had a very enlightning conversation with my cousin Ndabezinhle where we ended up straying to how we find history important . He told me of how he has always been interested in learning where the Maboea's come from and whether there are still Maboea's where we originate from. This conversation got me to a simple and yet sad conclusion; Most of the youth do have an interest in thier familiies past and culture but the problem is that they dont find it 'cool' to talk about in the presence of their peers.

With all this said, i think the most important thing for one to know is that what people think of you is not important but rather of what you think of yourself is of more value. Be an invividual who thinks for him/herslef rather than letting the people around you dictate what you think of your history and culture.
Now ask yourself, where do you come from? For all you know you could be the descendant of a king/leader and yet you acting like a follower. But than again this is my opinion Not yours!!

Kt