Thatched shelter at Pilanesberg National Park

A Lapa is a popular

structure A structure is an arrangement and organization of interrelated elements in a material object or system, or the object or system so organized. Material structures include man-made objects such as buildings and machines and natural objects such as ...

Southern Africa Southern Africa is the southernmost region of Africa. No definition is agreed upon, but some groupings include the United Nations geoscheme for Africa, United Nations geoscheme, the intergovernmental Southern African Development Community, and ...

. The word ''Lapa'' comes from Sotho and

Tswana Tswana may refer to: * Tswana people, the Bantu languages, Bantu speaking people in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and other Southern Africa regions * Tswana language, the language spoken by the (Ba)Tswana people * Tswanaland, ...

and means ‘home’. There are two ways of referring to this word; one as referring to it as ''Lapa'', and the other as L''elapa''. Lapa and Lelapa can be used interchangeably. The word Lapa can be translated into English as 'yard' (referring to both the house and the land attached), or as 'family'.

Usage

Culturally and linguistically, a Lapa has several meanings. It denotes a family, the land on which the family lives, and the area right in front of the house as one steps out of the door. The Lapa area is usually painted and decorated with traditional colors, plants, and spiritually significant flowers. In many cases, a shrine to the ancestors is set up at one of the corners of the Lapa. Traditionally, the family gathers at the Lapa here for breakfast, lunch, supper, and to host guests. During important family events, the family gathers at the Lapa to commune with the family's great ancestors and to pour libations of traditional morula wine and Mabele beer to them.

Structure

The Lapa usually has a high thatched roof supported by wooden poles. The Lapa may be attached to the main house or a separate structure a few meters away from the house. Traditionally, there can be more than one Lapa in a single yard. In some homes, there are Lapas for the elders, and lapas for the younger relatives of the family. During weddings and other celebrations, temporary lapas may be constructed to cater for the extra guests. Some of the temporary lapas may be used as kitchen areas or dining halls for the additional cooking and dining which would be taking place at such events.It reflects ancient architectural skill.

Contemporary Use

Lapas have become a significant part of South Africa's modern architecture, and are now added in urban developments. Lapas have also become a normal sight at most of South Africa's lodges and guest houses. They have gained popularity and are now used as entertainment areas for braais (barbecues), house parties and children's parties. Lapa on farm in Namibia

Usage

Structure

Contemporary Use

See also