Bogwera is a traditional initiation school practised by various Tswana tribes, including the Balete in Botswana. It is a rite of passage for young men, marking their transition from boyhood to manhood. During Bogwera, initiates—known as “bojalwa”—are secluded for a period, typically in a remote area, where they undergo teachings on cultural values, responsibilities, discipline, and tribal customs.
This process often includes physical endurance tasks and lessons in respect, leadership, and community roles. The ceremony concludes with a public celebration that welcomes the initiates back into society as mature and responsible men. It is a deeply respected tradition that reinforces identity and unity within the tribe.