thanks. for the touch thanks folks. thanks. thanks please feel. here's what's coming up for the book honestly you know how few i'm going to talk about here you know as much as i can look up what all that means for the table of course plays. her husband is legal every weekend here on t.w. . her.

it's a peaceful saturday afternoon in a rural community in botswana a sleepy little village but not today playing because today members of the country's heavy metal music scene have descended on a lady there the rock rockers in the local language of sets wanna play. play the outfits are an integral part of the parade. and that applies in particular to the queen's cut. cut cut cut it's a scene dominated by men but one in which the women are establishing themselves. play.

there were a. group. in botswana is often called the garden of eden of africa but the local one go don't go with its unique terrain and wildlife is a popular tourist destination the color hurry desert is a semi roots of ana scattered scrubland it appears inhospitable but it is home to a range of exotic animals the tourism the diamonds and cattle the three pillars of the country's economy the herds of cows are free to roam and graze where they please it's a sign of prosperity as it always has been. for as much as people in botswana look to the future they remain rooted in tradition and that sense of tradition also affects the position of women. queen glorious daily routine begins in less than

regal fashion getting up at quarter past five every morning female members of the more rock are called queens the title was awarded as a sign of respect even if it has nothing to do with gender equality as such. i think it was all about it's. the african or this it's not. thing they the man is on top and they all moneys. because if i can remember they used to play and help me in daylight in that they know even if they come and play a little bit as teach you do they still it says the main thing you know men doing everything we can go out with slowly we're coming up and hopefully we'll have a bed and a woman bent. base tell a little and then i can tell. indeed they are but it's proved difficult for them to set up their own bands with their own front women. botswana is

a vast country almost twice the size of germany for example but its population numbers just two million people. in queens of heavy metal only have their get togethers on very special occasions queen ludo lives in france as town a five hour drive away from queen gloria and she's busy sewing together her in three days' time she'll be at the rocks ember festival in the capital gaborone and wants to look her best and with botswana having no dedicated heavy metal fashion stores even the rivets have to be applied by hand. that to that some people are not hip in the house need to rest and also i do appreciate those who come up to us and tell us we look good those who accept as. guests who of

accepted the less that of judging us. before they get to know what this is of all because most of them feel like it's really just has to do with radiation that it doesn't only us to do with music. music and also a display of being self confident strong off. the third heavy metal queen of flora lives in already close to the south african border just forty minutes away from governor on. at twenty one she's the youngest queen and sports a particular look. at her signature style cowboy hats leather pants and waistcoat and plenty of fringe. good chaotic scenes mundanity if this. because.

i believe as crazy. and the way i feel. yes if only i could. yes because kinsella is self centered cool. they just couldn't get crazy day so this land of the most of these you know things. once a year that are different backgrounds meet up at the biggest heavy metal event in the country gloria lives in my own a nine hour drive away from. home she's the single mother of her son. that's enough that i. know. how i feel. that. all. that matters.

is that that's. what. if you'll. look at it this. isn't a thing. in botswana women are traditionally revered as the heart of the household however the reality paints a different picture many women are the head of the household simply because they are single mothers for women michael metal scene is an escape from their daily life . they say. yeah. drive me crazy like even if the.

is that like that you know on my little plan. that i made and so it will make me feel complete. ten seven in the morning glory of sets off work in a shared taxi while there are routes connecting the country's towns and cities public transportation within urban areas is practically nonexistent. in places like malone commuters only options are shared taxis or if they're in a rush private camps.

formally one of the poorest countries on the planet since gaining independence from britain in one thousand nine hundred eighty six botswana has transformed itself into one of the most stable nations in africa that's also reflected in the country's education system. gloria left high school with only an intermediate certificate but she managed to earn herself an office job at a construction company which is currently building a lodge and the nearby delta she does not have a permanent contract and doesn't know what will happen when her contract runs out. gloria's first task every morning is to stock up on office supplies and make coffee she's the secretary and odd job woman most mall construction firms.

thank you thank you thank you. thank you i. feel. as if. i. have got. you know i don't feel like i. think i. don't. think you. cry the dry season here in the north of botswana

lasts between six and nine months and for the boss and his staff the dry season means the work season tourism tends to center on the four month rainy season beginning in december when the delta and its wildlife blossom. the proportion of women managers is continually rising in botswana gloria believes in the potential of women and is keen to indulge in her role as a queen of heavy metal. when it says it is less like a really light sleeper missile and surprised faces in the house even at home when i did days like days like that my ideal is they. think it's up to make that. glorious office job enables her to make ends meet but her labor of love is the only rockers association a metal heads club where she can be an organizer and where she can let off a bit of steam.

for fans the world over heavy metal is an escape from the daily routine regardless of age group or profession but in botswana a country where the metal fans also face accusations of satanism takes a lot of courage and confidence to be among rock. gloria's nine year old son and wires finds the club i'm a little. bit when his mom's rocker buddies are in town he prefers his books to all the blue pop. that it hanging out with them at all and then told them that you know i think we should form an association and they told me that you know we tried filming it to me just didn't leg because some people would put invested in with us it is

a loser but we can you know those people love those people and just that it's with five people and then that us can follow and that's what we did sold. as is as we started with going to help you know is all a fellow brothers who is disabled and they. make you. helping cleaning the hanging out together and people is that it is it that the us is they say that it would be you neal can relate to it if it weren't for the kings of the century and they're more rock alter egos constitutional freedom during the week they're pretty much chained to their desks the majority of the metal heads here have nine to five office jobs working for the government. and when they looked at data model like i have been we. like full cup.

yes when they came back i still see the same model and like they haven't done anything that lives that have ever done anything in these bad light they haven't changed even they are these guys that plays in bed. and then as they know we should start something the association that will help the ben members that will help us is not all you know. cutting phenols. events. like even up to come saving or even going to test you know how it affected as well and they all those things. and that that i think that sell like as to how how how i think these decisions will be input in for the. moment in. order.

to have. gloria and the other members of her club are eager to improve the image of metal heads in their town and they also do volunteer community work together such as picking up litter in the neighborhood. in botswana wearing black leather and listening to metal is often considered satanist their clothing and imposing appearance are often met with fear and suspicion another thing the association wants to change but gloria herself has far more ambitious plans for the club she wants to see its members learning to help themselves and each other. tomorrow the metal heads from our own will be traveling across the country to make their presence felt at a wedding. that. gloria is also organizing the group's trip to the rocks number festival. he knew they were.

in a world. war. but swan it is a land of profound contrasts as also applies to its natural terrain the color hurry does or does it drive savannah. its northern section the okavango delta is prone to repeated flooding at the same time droughts and desertification pose major ecological problems the country is considered relatively progressive but cattle are prized to this day as a highly profitable investment and the metal scene is likewise an enigma but it's want to is one of the few african countries where percussion is not celebrated in the local folk music but it's in this very country where drums play a huge role in a particular music scene and that apparent contradiction is

a major factor in the popularity of heavy metal among the monorail. france's town the second biggest city in botswana to six hours away from mali and that's where queen ludo marina lives within the scene she's seen as the introverted but beautiful rock up. back in her father's home she's a carpenter fashioning wooden baby cribs it's a job that enables her to take care of her nine year old daughter while also going against the grain of traditional gender roles. for the fourth fifth. so for. a woman beside him should be an example an example to all as kids and kidding yourself yeah. all men should be that

that's within if they maybe keeps that if it needed to get that. a woman should be empowering yeah we should be i think it will. continue. doing this kind of. makes me feel. powerful. it makes me feel good because i'm doing what i love. i'm doing something that a lot of people least expected me to do so is a pretty much enjoy surprising people. when it comes to them finding out that i do this because even when i go to buy the materials at the shops that i want isn't a. suv who exploit who does best as my first time to see a lady in the section. she builds groups and bookshelves she discovered her

love of design while at college and the courage to try out the masculine enterprise of carpentry is something she owes to her experience as a moral. and they could at times maybe you'll be an example. of this to keep on moving we've always also a man in your life. although one man is important in her life her father. didn't even look that great a toy as it were he's after some status so folks so it was definitely him that she was giving him for that table. and i sit with my wife she just about idiots she pointed to some places without don't need milam now this is very

good david. woods would do it so to go out with all of these things as. i have that. little memory my is a second generation moroc her father nayana lani sexton was a leather clad metal head back in the one nine hundred eighty s. outfits are admired by her fellow queens. i go for the style which has a. more such also. made it look. and then i also can go for there because look to leave bay i have a lot of stats the champion team here but unlimited the amount and then there's also they call gill look i can also go for that. decision he it just depends on my mood i feel if i have to worry horses to fear to

go look if i had laid a bake and go for the lakers look better than if i had to show something that profit to do the. look. she's not yet sure exactly which out that she'll be wearing for the rock summer festival that's something she'll decide together with her friend queen clora. what's wanted is a large but sparsely populated country that also means ample space for the millions of cows and donkeys. distances between cities are seemingly employers and contact within them are roxy relies heavily on social media every couple of months the festivals dotted around the country provide a chance for virtual friends to connect in real life it takes ludo around seven hours on the bus to travel from frances town to flora and already. when it rains

here mother nature pushes the pause button for a couple of hours and suddenly the streets are empty. the village of audi is only a forty minute drive from the capital governor own but it seems like a world away the village appears almost deserted. queen flora lives together with her extended. family her mother her sisters and brothers and her son she knows everyone in the community but above all everyone knows her because being a moron makes her stand out. and . the villagers are wary and skeptical toward new developments queen flora was

fourteen when she first heard of radio station playing the music that has given her life a new rhythm she says self confident and outgoing woman. the rocks are a close knit society it takes a lot of courage to join their exclusive rights. i didn't really get to meet her yet she is dating was the first reality so me forever to live a life of service. to america for the lazy and it never is there. is no escape that you take the right to practice it it still is not difficult because if they did still want you for the state will you believe think of what it is that they think of what if they. say it will send a. heavy metal fans around the world are used to negative stereotyping in

botswana however those prejudices are so extreme that pastors at what are called fire churches rant and rail against the rockers some have even proposed members be subjected to an exorcism. has a traditional lifestyle surrounded by her family her mother did poor among is the sole breadwinner. flora and her mother also feel responsible for the children of their relatives today they're looking after her cousin's baby. plays may cause it. to get it baby still it did make them both make it lightly. so they can't get in to see it is said is just a little crazy stinky's will look at least will consider the tennis world it is going.

to be queen noodle has now reached after a seven hour bus journey she's come to the village to prepare for the heavy metal festival which flora. in a few hours time the two queens will be welcoming the kings of the scene and their parade in florence leave. to. get. in touch again to face book that you've never met before but to be i say going to get me said it is easy. to get to connect with a bush is a bad peasant say to his ranch easy. it won't just little things cause it. to stay then he

designs because it cuts the sides need princeton's a is in the hospital may lead to a game just to eat a tree say to cubicin a quote it's mason a ship built. in eighty days it needs to say that they needed the lead it didn't matter if their first ever meeting is a fascinating one in two metal queens are different in demeanor but do find similarities in the chain scene so. i waiting for a kind of a little. david field if it was. a small a it is good because the a fish should have a stake in this that it made. sense that she's. busy day for the state that he or she will.

face they pass the time while waiting perfecting their outfits you can never spend too much time on your look a sizeable metal head group will be arriving soon to pick them up and take them to the festival these meetings are rare occasions and are celebrated in a more rock fashion. people feel. this need he says when feeling plan b. . and that is that it is that time yet they have a lot of energy. so all the expats seeing a lot of the day seeing tirades. it off concedes we should immediately used to symbolize peace amongst themselves. that symbolism is very important to the model it's expressed in both rituals and in

their attire and accessories. the moroc are late the rain has brought the village to a standstill rendering the main road impassable for a few hours. later. then suddenly they arrived the heavy metal queens and came. the rough greeting is a symbol that developed after violence became a concern at gatherings the greeting is a demonstration that they come in peace and

a symbol of the camaraderie in the group. wow. this is the first time ludo has met most of the other members in real life flora does know them personally but hasn't seen them for two years her then boyfriend gave her an ultimatum forcing her to choose between him and the local church congregation for the rockers. the chaps hats another cowboy accessories oh makes sense but the cowbells that some of them are up where are meant to commemorate a time when runaway slaves were forced to wear them the more rock where the bells

to honor them and as a reference to cowboy culture. good. enough. for him to get a. little better and. then it's time for the parade a core ritual of any gathering and the chance for the more rock to take center stage. was. they struck down the road as if on a fashion show. the runway showing themselves from their best and loudest song and more consciously leaves the parade past the church tend. to her for. the procession takes them all around the village

a procession that takes cues from those of the major religions it symbolizes a concentration of power. the group having flora lead the parade through her village is unprecedented and she revels in every single step along the way having a two year absence from the gatherings for her it's a public affirmation of her identity for two years her boyfriend had forbidden her from meeting them or even just dawning her letters. flora and her music fan family are now back at her home ody wasn't on the group's

route to the festival but they were helped to make the detour for flora. and after years of suspicion her mother has now come to accept flora being a queen nonetheless the spectacle unfolding else at her home is pretty overwhelming . going to be a real. it is going to be a little a.j. on south. bend of the fianna were that easy as they get that back. but i'm so proud of it there are all of the good. well it. sounds like the isolated. and then let them down so it's only. eleanor let alan so let's it that and.

a these children only know the people from their own very much the seemingly otherworldly visitors leave a lasting impression. people in botswana are moving rapidly away from their traditional roots and that reorientation to the modern world involves frequent culture clash. a a a a a a. a. a. florist grandmother was the first to lose patience she has little understanding for her granddaughter's new lifestyle. but queen ludo sees how important it is for flora to

be able to combine her two worlds. and live in their i like that with all they already have consuming more this small difference plan and was it him was this all close to the last and they are that is where the wins but we still i understand the significance. of our queen ludo loves her cowgirl role at home she's an independent single mother but here she's happy to immerse herself in this alternative role on another one of the. a little bit longer to get there. well but good luck in that given that. the group continues on to the rock summer festival many of them have traveled huge distances to get here. a. little heavy metal festivals take place every couple of months. some of the

bands featured have made a name for themselves outside of botswana as well such as the next evening's headliners there are skinflint. although not all broke but don't have all that long on all the. two hours further north east queen gloria and the more up association wake up and mama hop on. that one but you know it's out on the side of the. comedy. and it's the weekend she's been gearing up for for months the festival encounter own one of glory and laura and will be meeting up. likewise months in planning is the wedding of their friend to live i think. that. this. was there yesterday. why

go. why not that all the. old city went out oh no. we didn't play because eventually. we are getting ready to good to be assuaged. from coming here he is getting married saying that months old and i had to leave him enjoy it with him separated you have. to go but he laid dresses and skins at us as he asked us what it was and you s s still not to late this like a clue. is a mid-sized town with a population of forty thousand located between francis town and gaborone the

country's two biggest. cities. everywhere else in the world weddings are a very traditional affair in botswana persia. the groom has taken quite a risk in inviting his rocker friends but later is determined to have gloria and her friends attend his big day. his bride is not. coming. it's the first time the association has been invited to a public event. so the rockers are eager to dress to impress in morocco style of course today they will again face those prejudices about satanism.

but still the group do initially enjoy in the open welcome from the other wedding guests who seem curious to say the least. the metal heads pay tribute to the group. and he's happy to see his two worlds married in harmony.

the male members prefer to look for potential partners from within the group. led by has made an exception and his bride accepts special guests. not. the warm welcome extended to the rockers here is a positive sign for gloria nevertheless she leaves the festivities early in order to continue to the music festival. the king's make themselves look comfortable i'll be with you all day meanwhile the guests are all equally looking forward to the wedding feast.

from it's only a two hour drive to cover rome when you're in a car at least and in a hurry straight down highway number one. gloria and her fellow metal heads love these road trips through the endless expanses of the savannah the drive means freedom in so many senses of the word gloria makes it too precious few festivals cover on is simply too far away from.

despite the searing heat. thirty five degrees celsius in the shade and humidity in excess of ninety percent the moron transformed each stop on the road into an improvised mosh pit section. of. the rock summer festival is held every year in the capital governor on it features three local bands with rockers congregating from all over botswana.

the evening has a very special meaning for the three queens for respectively different reasons. gloria is taking the opportunity to just enjoy herself for what's cluedo combines business with pleasure managing to sell one of her custom made options for flora it marks a return to a life she's been missing for the last two years. for europeans this might look like a regular friday night in a dingy rocker bar but for these queens of heavy metal gloria ludo and flora it's the biggest event of the year. it's about seeing and being seen and living out their identity as part of a family part of a culture and as queens in

a realm they can call. all their own. i. like ot. keep learning. wait a second for you want the whole picture perfect so that will make ideas shift delivers. a message reality to cryptocurrency that your top picks for live in an ever changing digital world let's talk a bit to devise a shrimp. shift. d.w. . what keeps us in shape what makes us see and

how do we stamp. my name is dr house and i talk to medical experts. watch them at work. and i discuss what you can do to improve your health. stay tuned and let's all try to stay. clinching down thirty minutes. sometimes books more exciting than real life. raring to greet. call. what if there's no escape. ritualised. german plus treats.

oh oh. oh. this is d. w. news live from berlin he's the joker in the pack could ukrainians choose a comedian as their next president we'll ask our chief of correspondents why of lodging near selenski is leading the polls in a closely watched race also coming up the number of confirmed cases of cholera in mozambique doubles in just one.