Village of the Rain Wind

by Bessie Head

Book Overview

In Serowe: Village of the Rain Wind, Bessie Head blends her skills as a novelist with the actual words of nearly one hundred inhabitants of a Botswanan village called Serowe to present a clear picture of the village community and its history. Serowe is one of the best-known villages in Africa, the capital of the people ruled by the Khamas, of whom Tshekedi and Seretse are the most famous. This collection of writings also tells of a remarkable transition...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0435902733
• ISBN13: 9780435902735
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books
• Length: 280 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Bessie Head has done it again

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.

Serowe Village of Rain wind

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.