Serowe: Village of the Rain-Wind (African Writers Series) [Paperback]

Bessie Head (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0435902202 | ISBN-13: 978-0435902209 | Publication Date: June 1981

An examination of Serowe's recent past - seen through the words and memories of the village inhabitants.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann (Txt) (June 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0435902202
• ISBN-13: 978-0435902209
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 4.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,639,524 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #63 in Books > History > Africa > Botswana

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Serowe Village of Rain wind, June 27, 2000

By 

Jaone J.M. Sebina (United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serowe: Village of the Rain-Wind (African Writers Series) (Paperback)

Mrs Bessie Head's work reflects her quick adaptation with the Ngwato circles. Born in Petermaritzburg, South Africa in 1936 she came to Serowe as an exile in 1963 and lived among the Bangwato. In her books she interviews the eminent personalities of Serowe. The tittle Village or raqinwind may not only talk about the prevailing climatic condition as dictated by the geographic location but may represent the many upsurps Serowe has transformed.

Serowe was Established in 1902 by King Khama III. It is the third large Ngwato Capital after Shoshong which was deserted in 1889 for Palapye. Even before Khama moved his capital to Serowe he habited the area as one of his cattleposts. During the dispute with his father Sekgoma and Kgamane in the 1870s Khama moved with his followers to Serowe just temporarily.

When Palapye capital proved to be a drier land, Khama led his tribe on another nomadic expedition just 25 miles west towards the Manonnye Streams. There he enjoyed relative tranquility surrounded by Swaneng hills.

The "rain-wind" of Serowe continued after Khama's death in 1925. He was suceeded briefly by his once prodigal son Sekgoma II who died in 1925. Tshekedi, Sekgoma's half brother ascended the throne as a regent for Sekgoma's minor son Seretse in 1926. A legalistic strategist Tshekedi transformed the Bangwato nation into a modern nation. Among his major achievements was the construction of the first College in the country, Moeng. Throughout his reign Tshekedi was faced with three major battles, his royal relatives, the South African government and his British overlords. He fought tooth and nail against the incorporation of High Commission Territories into the Union of South Africa. He presented the Namibian question to the U.N.

Tshekedi's reign came to an end during a dispute with his nephew Seretse over his marriage to a white woman. He went on exile to Rametsana and later top Pilikwe taking with him a section of loyals. After his death in 1959, whaat he fought and worked for got destroyed.

Seretse Khama, Sekgoma's son and Tshekedi's nephew became the first president of the Republic of Botswana in 1966. His son and Heir was installed as paramount Chief of Bamangwato in 1979. He was then the the Deputy Commander of Armed Forces. He rose to being Commander and is now the the fourth Vice President.

Serowe has bred many Educationalists and Entrepreneurs.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bessie Head has done it again, August 18, 2000

By 

S. Shewmake - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Serowe: Village of the Rain-Wind (African Writers Series) (Paperback)

This book changed the way I saw Africa. It's one of those rare books you come upon that makes you a better citizen of the world. If you haven't read it yet, read it and then read MARU also by B.Head. Serowe is a difficult book to hunt down but it's well worth it.