{"id":35601,"date":"2022-12-11T09:37:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-11T09:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/gondwana-etosha-king-nehale-lodge-opened-in-style"},"modified":"2022-12-11T09:46:10","modified_gmt":"2022-12-11T09:46:10","slug":"gondwana-etosha-king-nehale-lodge-opened-in-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/namibia\/all-news\/gondwana-etosha-king-nehale-lodge-opened-in-style","title":{"rendered":"Gondwana Etosha King Nehale Lodge opened in style"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Namibia. <\/strong><\/span>IT is 05:00, the dark still looms and the sound of the dry grass, swaying and beating against each other can be still heard.<\/p>\n

The Ondonga Senior Council Tatekulu Shifotoka Nambandja, whose the caretaker of the palace fire, walks to the boma to light the cow dung and tamboti tree.<\/p>\n

As soon as the boma is lit, the King of Ondonga, Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo walks to the fire to warm his hands without saying a word, he is followed by Chief Ndilimani Ipumbu and Chief Mathias Walaula who do the same.<\/p>\n

The boma, which is also known as the \u2018Olupale\u2019 once lit up, indicated the official opening of Gondwana Etosha King Nehale Lodge.<\/p>\n

What is fascinating to one is how the Ompane tree known as \u2018Omusati\u2019 is the only wood mainly used to make the fire, as it is believed that the ancestors once spoke of how important it is to light the fire.<\/p>\n

As the fire is lit, it is believed that it be kept alive to ensure connection with ancestors, and at the same time, signifying the official opening of the lodge.<\/p>\n

King Nangolo and all the traditional leaders present, then move outside to sit and start telling stories, while waiting for the sunrise to kick start the day.<\/p>\n

This is done traditionally as a way of attracting luck, rejuvenating the body and showing agility towards opportunities that the day may present.<\/p>\n\r\n