One Word. One Aim.
One Destiny.
Born in Maun and rooted in the Okavango, Poetavango is a creative movement where poetry, music, storytelling, literature, visual arts and culture meet.
Born from poetry. Grown into a creative movement.
Poetavango began as a spoken word and poetry movement in Maun and has grown into a multidisciplinary arts collective connecting performers, writers, musicians, visual artists, youth, communities and cultural partners.
Six Creative Pillars, One Movement
Spoken Word & Performance
Live poetry, theatre and stage performance rooted in the power of voice.
Music & Acoustic Sessions
Intimate acoustic performances that turn songs and sound into a digital stage.
Literature & Writing
Creative writing, storytelling and literary development for Botswana’s writers.
Visual Arts
Exhibitions, workshops and showcases for painters, crafters and visual storytellers.
Youth & Community
Outreach, storytelling and skills programmes that put creativity to work for communities.
Art Tourism & Culture
Cultural experiences that connect visitors to Maun through performance and place.
Platforms for Creative Growth
Maun International Arts Festival
Poetavango’s flagship celebration of poetry, theatre, comedy, music, dance and visual arts.
Poetic Wordsdays
Weekly Wednesday evenings of spoken word, acoustic music, comedy and open mic expression.
Acoustic Sessions
A digital performance channel sharing music, poetry and storytelling beyond Maun.
Writers’ Camp
A one-week residency giving Botswana’s writers space, skills and creative mentorship.
Annual Literary Award
A platform encouraging Batswana writers to write, submit and grow local literature.
Outreach Projects
School and community projects using storytelling and creativity to educate and empower.
Maun International Arts Festival
A flagship cultural platform celebrating poetry, music, theatre, comedy, dance, visual arts, literature and community creativity in Maun.
A digital stage for music, poetry and storytelling.
Watch intimate performances from poets, musicians and storytellers, recorded to take Maun’s creative voices to audiences in Botswana and beyond.
Acoustic Sessions with LashesOfSteel
Behind the Sound
Around the Fire
Beyond the Delta: experience Maun through art.
Maun is known as the gateway to the Okavango Delta, but its people, voices, food, languages and stories are also part of the journey. Poetavango creates cultural moments where visitors meet the community and experience the creative life of Maun.
18+ years of creative work.Since 2008, Poetavango has grown into a multidisciplinary movement of artists, writers and musicians — reaching communities through youth outreach, and connecting Maun to cultural and tourism partners across borders.
Partner with a movement rooted in culture, creativity and community.
Rooted in the Okavango. Connected to the world.
Founded in Maun in 2008, Poetavango Arts Collective develops, promotes and elevates performance, literary and visual arts in Botswana and beyond. The organisation is accredited to UNESCO under the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Founded in 2008
A community-rooted arts movement established in Maun.
UNESCO NGO 90646
Accredited under the 2003 Convention for intangible cultural heritage.
Registered CR8882
A registered non-profit arts organisation in Botswana.
Based in Maun
Working from the Nhabe Museum premises in the Okavango region.
Projects with long-term cultural impact
Beyond recurring performances, Poetavango builds projects that strengthen storytelling, heritage, environmental awareness and the creative sector.
My Botswana Storytelling
Creative writing, oral storytelling and literary technology for learners in Maun, Ghanzi and Gaborone.
Living Heritage
Resonances Across Generations connects cultural memory, contemporary expression and intergenerational learning.
Amplifying Delta Voices
Art for Environmental and Social Change brings community voices into conversations about the Okavango Delta.
Ngamiland Creative Network
A long-term platform connecting creative practitioners, institutions and cultural opportunities across Ngamiland.
Built with partners across culture, education and tourism
Poetavango has worked with government, embassies, tourism organisations, NGOs, education partners, cultural institutions and the private sector.
Botswana Tourism Organisation · Embassy of the United States of America · European Union · Nhabe Museum · Brand Botswana · Goethe-Institut · Commonwealth Foundation
Partner With Poetavango