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Shortly after we arrived in Ohangwena to teach at Ponhofi Secondary School,
we learned from the youngsters in our house
that a Cultural Festival was being held the next weekend.
It was at a nearby primary school, which was just "over there."
"Go past the store to the sign to the library and go down that road."
We asked my co-worker Sho, from Japan, if he would be interested in going and he said yes,
so the next Saturday we all walked down to the "Library" sign on the highway,
and turned down a dirt road.
After a bit we came to the new library which was still under construction,
but was mostly waiting for the President to come out and bless it.
There were some "Namibian School Buses" passing us,
a "bakki" (pickup truck) packed full of kids in bright pink outfits,
so we headed where they were heading.
Soon enough, we came to the Nakambuda Primary School.
Nakambuda Primary School Entrance
We wandered around to the back and found kids practicing for the performance,
and some older women who had just arrived.
All were dressed in traditional Owambo attire
which is all colored various shades of pink.
The necklaces they were wearing are called
"onyoka"
are made of pieces of mussel shells, and are a sign of wealth.
Women Elders all decked out
Practicing for the Contest
Practicing
Boys Dancing
Drummer
Colorful Outfits
We found seats in the shade and made ourselves comfortable.
When the master of ceremonies, Mr. Immanuel Nakambale, gave his opening remarks,
he welcomed us as distinguished guests.
Obviously, we stood out,
being the only white people present.
Fortunately we didn't have to make a speech!
Master Of Ceremonies
Some of the older women had big wide beaded belts with painted shells on them.
I don't know if they were purely decorative or
if they had some more significant meaning.
They were clearly traditional garb.
Shells On Beaded Belt
I don't know why pink is the single color used in traditional dress for the Owambo people;
it's traditionally done with a dye from a local berry,
although now the material is imported already dyed.
Waiting To Perform
The festival was a competition,
with groups from schools around our area.
There were different classes for primary and secondary schools.
Each group had at least one drummer and a set of dancers,
which were mostly girls but some groups included some boys.
The group entered to the beating of the drum,
singing, and sometimes a high-pitched rapidly undulating "li-li-li-li-li-li" like sound.
I don't know what the significance of that sound is,
but if I were a German or South African occupier during wartime
it would be unsettling to hear.
They carried baskets with various things in them, mostly grains and fruit,
which were set out before the audience.
They then commenced a kind of dance,
where one to four individuals came out and stomped in super-fast time to the rhythm of the drum
and clapping by the rest of the group,
then traded out with the next few individuals.
Group 01 Entrance
Group 01
Group 01
Group 01
Group 01
Some of the groups incorporated skits into their routine.
The skits typically told a story,
and while we couldn't understand what was being said,
it was clear they were about the struggle for independence.
Group 02 Props
Group 02 Entrance
Group 02 Story
Group 02
Group 02
Group 02
Some groups had their hands, feet and faces painted red,
representing blood from people killed during the struggle for independence.
Group 03 Entrance
Group 03 Story
Group 03
Group 03 Drummer
In the skits, performers dressed in blue coveralls and / or with black hats to represent the occupying colonialists.
Even burdened with the heavy coveralls they could dance at amazing speed.
If the coveralls slipped down, they just kept dancing and
either took them off or held them up with one hand.
Group 04 Entrance
Group 04 Props
Ohangwena Cultural Festival
Group 04 Story Stealing Grain
Group 04 Dancing
Some performers had springbok skins hung from their belts,
also dyed pink.
I'm not sure what that represented, if anything;
the skins are a normal part of the traditional costume of the Ovambo people.
Group 05 Entrance
Group 05
Group 05
Group 05 Dancer 1
Group 05 Dancer 2
Group 05 Dancing
Group 05 Drum
Group 06 Story
Group 06 Dancing
Group 07 Entrance
Group 07 Story
Group 07 Dancing
Group 08 Entrance
Group 08 Entrance
Group 08 Props
Group 08 Dancing
Spectator
Some of the groups had really young kids in them;
and boy, could they dance!
It was a treat to watch.
Group 09 Child Standing
Group 09 Child Drummer
Group 09 Dancing
Our school also participated,
but we weren't sure which group was them at first.
We had trouble recognizing any of our learners in their traditional dress.
Group 10 (Ponhofi) Story
Group 10 Dancing
Group Eleven won the event for secondary schools,
and it was well-deserved.
They had some amazing performers.
Group 11
Group 11 Drummer
Group 11 Dancing
(short version)
(long version)
Group 11
Group 11
Group 11
Group 11
Group 11
The last group to perform were the elder women.
They had two drummers and the drums they used were huge.
Group 12 Entrance
Group 12 Skirt Shells
Group 12 Story
Group 12 Big Drums
Group 12 Shells On Belt
Group 12 Big Drum
Group 12 Dancing
At the end, awards were given; the "memes" (older women) won their division!
Trophy
As usual, everyone wanted their picture taken;
I just wanted a picture of the drum.
Woman with Children
Girls With Drum
Afterwards, refreshments were served.
We were invited to take part,
but felt a little awkward since we weren't one of the participants
and it seemed like crashing someone else's party.
But that's just what's normal in this friendly country.
Refreshments
"bakki" (truck) heading home
On our walk back we found some
makalani palm nuts;
Sho tried to break one open with a rock,
and it was not easy.
Sho Breaking Makalani Nut
We also found some "mahangu" (pearl millet),
the staple food of Namibia.
You can see why it's named that way.
