Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Omaongo Cultural Festival is about enjoying the marula wine to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and foster harmony, unity, and peaceful coexistence.
The festival is equally a promotion of nature conservation, as it highlights the vital importance of trees to humankind.
Queen Martha Mwadinomho Kristian Nelumbu, the host of this year’s event, said in a statement read on her behalf by Ndapewa Nghipandulwa that the benefits gained from the marula tree are not limited to its fruits.
She cited a popular belief that decisions taken under a marula tree have lasting impact, and even a marriage proposed and accepted under a marula tree lasts longer.
Anglican Bishop Patrick Djuulume, who did both the opening and the closing prayers, urged people to avoid cutting down trees and rather plant trees.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah urged every Namibian to plant at least one tree on the 12th of this month, the birthday of the late Founding President Sam Nujoma, the champion of environmental protection and the brain behind the unified Omaongo Festival.
The first unified Omaongo Festival was hosted by the Ongandjera Traditional Authority in 2001, followed by the Ondonga Traditional Authority in 2002 and the Uukwambi Traditional Authority in 2003.
The Uukwaluudhi Traditional Authority was the host of the 2004 event, followed by Ombalantu in 2005.
In 2006, the event was scheduled to be hosted by the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority but did not materialize due to the death of Oukwanyama King Kornelius Shelungu.
In 2007, the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority hosted the event.
The Ombadja Traditional Authority could neither host the event in 2008 nor in 2009 — both years were characterized by widespread flooding.
In 2010, Oukwanyama hosted the festival, followed by Ombadja in 2011.
Ongandjera was scheduled to host the event in 2012, but it did not happen due to the death of Ongandjera King Jafet Munkundi.
The festival did not take place from 2013 to 2015 due to drought.
Ondonga hosted the festival in 2016, followed by Uukwambi (2017), Uukwaluudhi (2018), and Ongandjera (2019).
The festival was put on hold from 2020 to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ombalantu Traditional Authority was the host in 2023, followed by Ondonga last year and Oukwanyama this year.
A decision was taken to have two separate hosts every year; therefore, Uukwaluudhi and Uukwambi will host the events next year.
Chief Herman Iipumbu of Uukwambi revealed a plan to expand the festival to other tribal areas where marula trees are prevalent, such as the Kwangali and Mbunza tribal areas of Kavango West.
The head of the Mbunza Traditional Authority, Chief Alfons Kaundu, was present and nodded as Chief Iipumbu made the announcement.
Prominent personalities who attended the event include former President Nangolo Mbumba, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare and his deputy Natangwe Iithete, several current and former ministers, members of parliament, and traditional and church leaders. The Governor of the Cunene Province of Angola, Ulipamwe Didalelwa, was also present, accompanied by a strong delegation.
Omukwaniilwa Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo of Ondonga was not present, but was represented by senior traditional councillor John Walenga, who said that one cannot talk about Omaongo without talking about women.
“Women are the reason we are here today,” he said.
Traditionally, the marula wine is exclusively processed and prepared by women.
Senior traditional councillor Ester Nakale, the head of the Okongo District of Oukwanyama, urged young people to make it a point to attend important cultural events such as the Omaongo Festival to acquire the necessary knowledge of traditions and customary norms.
The festival’s entertainment menu included local musicians, traditional dance groups, and even a horse-riders’ parade.
After the official part of the event, food and marula wine awaited the festival-goers — plenty and “more than enough,” as promised by senior traditional councillor Elias Waandja.
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