Preserving culture through jewellery
Rachel Letsoalo loves making traditional pieces as it enables her to display the tradition and culture she loves and respects
POLOKWANE – Having been an entrepreneur for many years, Rachel Letsoalo recalls how she started making jewellery using beads when she realised that the society we live in has forgotten their roots and their culture.
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“It is important for us to preserve cultural practices so that we always remember where we come from.
“I am saying this because I have come to realise that the community at large seem to forget about the cultural practices and beliefs that have made us. For instance, the youth no longer fear disrespecting the elders, and it is my belief that a lot of the youngsters in the community no longer respect the presence of the elders. Behaviour such as public drinking, smoking and also these ‘vansit’ relationships in the olden days were a taboo. Perhaps this is the reason behind the high rate of unemployment and divorces,” she said.
The mother of three loves making traditional pieces as it enables her to display the tradition and culture she loves and respects.
Another reason as to why she decided to make her traditional jewellery and sell, is due to the number of individuals within the community who would ask her to make it for them. “I thought, why not combine fashion and culture as people especially young women love to look fabulous and jewellery accessories complete every outfit,” she added.
She has had several exhibitions at the recent Park Inn Craft Market, the Library Gardens Art Exhibitions and at the SABC Park.
Rachel would like to encourage the youth to engage with entrepreneurs as that may be a way out of poverty and to secure a better life.
“Making jewellery can be very challenging, hence it requires enough patience and passion for it. If the youth can join forces with us as the elderly they too can be able to help preserve culture and tradition,” she concluded.
