Badimo

Badimo (Tswana badimo, literally "ancestors") is a name for the indigenous African Traditional Religion of Botswana & South Africa. Although the CIA Factbook currently states that four percent of Batswana are practitioners, in reality a great majority of Batswana follow at least some of the traditions deemed Badimo even if they are strong followers of another religion as well.

The term "Badimo", although usually translated as "ancestors" does not simply refer to people who are now dead, but rather to the "living dead". In the traditional African worldview, deceased ancestors continue to be present and are actively included in the daily life of individuals and tribes. In Botswana it is believed that when someone dies, they go to live in another place from where they will be watching over the living. It is believed that if one does something that displeases Badimo they may punish him. The punishment upon the individual may be an unsuccessful life, sickness, accidents or non achievement. In order to please Badimo one should visit the grave yard once in a while to ask for forgiveness, there must be a sacrifice offered to them.