Tswana: Theme 3 - Numbers, days, months, seasons
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greetings and courtesies | asking for help, emergencies | numbers, days, months, seasons | question words, quantities, weather and time | banks, taxis and restaurants | transportation and finding your way | touring and socializing | at the filling station | the human body and ailments | shopping and sport |  |
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Days of the week
The days of the week changed their original Setswana names because of the Western influence of the missionaries. They brought along with them working days, i.e. Labobedi (the second working day - Tuesday), Laboraro(the third working day), Labone (the fourth working day), Labotlhano (the fifth working day). Sunday became known as the day of going to church when the iron (tshipi) bell rings, thus Latshipi.
Months in Setswana
Traditionally, the Batswana named the different times of the seasons in relation with the various activities within those seasons. July is Phukwi, so called because new green leaves appear after winter. The month of August is Phatwe which indicates the winds that blow leaving the tree broken open. Phalane is the name for October. This word has the meaning of ‘ young implala’ because it is when they are born.