Beef as intangible cultural heritage in Botswana: a documentary review

Abstract This article reviews the critical role of cattle and beef production, consumption practices, and symbolic values, among other elements, in instituting Botswana’s beef heritage. The rise of gastronomic tourism and the dearth of literature on Africa’s intangible food heritage has necessitated such a review. Using a document analysis methodology with Google, Google Scholar, and Web of Science Core Collection, the article narrates how the historical, economic, and sociocultural reliance on cattle led to a distinctive intangible beef heritage in Botswana. In conclusion, the article motivates the recognition of seswaa, a beef-related cuisine, as worthy of inscription under UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage and for the continued documentation of food heritage amidst the limited regional studies of such in Africa.