An ethnographic study of initiation schools among the Bakgatla ba ga Kgafela at Mochudi (1874-1988)

Abstract

In and around the Makgadikgadi Pans there are several archaeological sites that have been interpreted as places were initiation rites took place in ancient times. But how can one tell they were initiation sites? This paper attempts to answer this by looking at modem initiation ceremonies among the Bakgatla of Mochudi and the "sites" they produce. Identifying ancient initiation sites may not be as simple as it seems.