Part of Flora and Fauna: Botho and the Safari Guide in Northern Botswana

• In Event: 365 - Section on Sociology of Culture Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 14. Trauma, Memory, Belonging

Abstract

This paper addresses how public servants in Botswana use the cultural value of Botho as a social contract of reciprocated respect when they interact with international customers. Using interviews with 20 male safari guides and trainees in Northern Botswana, I find that Botho is an honor vocabulary of social and cultural competence and an operational discursive element of emotional labor.

Author

• Sakhile Kaone Matlhare, Northwestern University