Supa Ngwao Museum: Showcasing Northern Botswana's Heritage

Supa Ngwao Museum, meaning “to show culture” in Setswana, is a regional museum located in Francistown, Botswana. Established as a mobile museum in 1986, it found a permanent home and officially opened in 1992. The museum is housed in a century-old Government Camp building, which includes former police facilities like an old prison and canteen, adding historical depth to the exhibition space. The museum's collection focuses on the history, culture, traditions, and crafts of the Kalanga people and other communities in northern Botswana. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring traditional artifacts such as pottery, cooking utensils, woven baskets, and musical instruments. Historical displays include photographs and farming equipment that chronicle Francistown's evolution from a mining hub to a modern city. The Haskins Archives preserve documents and records pivotal to understanding the city's past. The museum also provides guided walking tours of Francistown, highlighting significant historical sites such as the Old Jail House, the Hexagonal Building, and the Miners' Cottage at Nyangabgwe Hill. The craft shop supports approximately 200 local artisans by selling handcrafted items like leather key-holders, woodcarvings, and traditional jewelry.