Traditional Tswana music is played by the Tswana people during special events such as beer gatherings, weddings, and initiation ceremonies. Instruments used in this music include the segaba and the setinkane. The segaba is similar to a violin in shape but has only one string attached to a tin. The setinkane is made with different forks and is played like a keyboard.

During the colonial period, Tswana folk music was not encouraged because it was seen as a problem for the growth of the region and its people. After Botswana gained independence, folk music was brought back into use. However, the most popular music today comes from other parts of Africa, the United States, and Europe.

Today, many music groups in Botswana perform traditional Tswana music and dances. These groups include Culture Spears, Matsieng, Mokorwana, Ditaola, Makhirikhiri, and others.

Classification of music

The Tswana people group their vocal music into categories called 'dipina' (songs) based on their role in different parts of life. For example, music played during initiation ceremonies is called 'moamo.' Much of the Tswana traditional music is connected to the farming seasons of the year. The seasons are:

• Letlhafula (Autumn): means "to renew life," a time for songs about farming and work groups;
• Mariga (Winter): means "shade," a time for songs that tell stories around fires for children;
• Dikgakologo (Spring): means "to melt away," a time when women and children sing while working in the fields to help crops grow;
• Selemo (Summer): means "to salvage fallen crops from loose soil," a time for songs and dances related to making beer.

Aspects of Tswana music

Traditional Tswana music often uses a five-note scale and has a repeating, balanced rhythm. It is performed with lots of emotion and body movements that follow the rhythm. Tswana songs are either "mainaane a segologolo," which are important stories passed down through generations, or modern songs created by a specific composer called "motlhami." These songs can be sung by everyone together or by different groups. When sung by different groups, they often use a "call and response" style, where one part is called "segalodimo" and the reply is called "segalo tlase."

Musical instruments

Tswana Bows
There are four main types of bows used by the Tswana people: the lengope, senwana, setinkane, and nokukwane.

Lengope – This bow is made from a curved piece of cane with a string from a nylon fishing rod. The lengope is held against the mouth to create sound. The left hand is used to press the string, and the right forefinger plucks the string.

Senwana – This bow uses a calabash to create sound and is struck with a stick. The string is divided unevenly to produce two tones that are slightly apart in pitch. The performer changes the tone quality by moving the calabash opening closer to or farther from their chest. The senwana is much larger than the lengope.

Setinkane – The setinkane is similar to the senwana but does not have a calabash or other resonator to create sound.

Nokukwane – The nokukwane was received by the Korana people. The Tswana people are the only Bantu group that uses this bow. It is simple in design, but its curve is more noticeable than the curves of the other bows.

Other Musical Instruments:
• The Tswana drum (moropa), antelope horn (lepapata), and leg rattles (mathlo) are often used during group dances.
• The Tswana people also use many types of whistles. These whistles are named based on how they are made, such as lengwane, lethlaka noka, mothlatsa, naka, and palo llo.