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Botho: A cultural framework for resilient human–wildlife coexistence in Botswana
| Author: | Otshabile Bahetoleng & Amanda Stronza |
| Language: | |
| Topic: | Conservation |
| Type: | Research |
| Last updated: | 18 May 2026 |
In this article, Otshabile Bahetoleng and Amanda Stronza explore how the African philosophy of Botho shapes human–wildlife coexistence in cattle farming communities of Botswana’s Kalahari region. Drawing on ethnographic field research, the paper argues that coexistence with large carnivores is not sustained only through formal conservation policies or economic incentives, but also through relational cultural values rooted in interdependence, compassion, dignity, and mutual respect.
The article examines how Botho influences relationships between cattle farmers, conservation practitioners, institutions, and wildlife. Rather than viewing coexistence as a fixed conservation outcome to be externally imposed, the paper presents coexistence as a dynamic social process embedded in everyday moral and cultural life. The authors show that when conservation actors engage communities with empathy, fairness, and respect, tensions between people are reduced, creating conditions that can indirectly support tolerance toward wildlife such as lions and other carnivores.
The paper further critiques top-down conservation approaches that overlook local systems of relational governance and culturally legitimate mediation. It argues that conservation institutions can strengthen coexistence by acting in ways that align with local expectations of Botho, particularly through responsive engagement, dialogue, and mutual recognition. Ultimately, the article positions Botho as both a cultural ethic and a practical framework for building more resilient and socially grounded approaches to human–wildlife coexistence in Southern Africa.
Botho is a foundational philosophy in Sub-Saharan Africa that emphasizes interdependence, respect, and shared humanity. While it has traditionally shaped human–wildlife relationships, its present contribution to coexistence with large carnivores remains underexplored. This paper examines how Botho is a part of local decision-making in cattle farming communities of the Kalahari region of Botswana and how it shapes their choices in tolerating and coexisting with lions. Drawing on ethnographic field research, the paper describes how conservationists and cattle farmers practice Botho, and how and why it can be positive for wildlife and coexistence. The expression of Botho between social actors eases tensions, including human–human conflict over wildlife. When people treat each other with Botho, they develop empathy for one another, which sometimes extends to the wildlife. This is a potent if indirect way Botho can be a path to coexistence.
