Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Hileni Nembwaya
Published on 2024-04-09 15:00:00
King Fillemon Nangolo, the Ondonga king, has announced that the 2024 Omagongo Festival will be held on 25 May at the Onambango Palace in the Oshana region. This annual festival serves as a platform to celebrate the Aawambo culture and foster unity among Namibians. The festival is a time for people to come together, showcase their traditions, and honor their heritage.
Nahas Angula, the chairperson of the Omagongo Festival 2024 organizing committee, mentioned that a different community is selected to host the Omagongo Festival every year, and this year, the Ondonga group was chosen. The festival is open to the public and is usually attended by the country’s president, as well as various traditional, political, business, and community leaders. The event holds significance as it was inscribed on the representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in 2015.
“This will be the second time the Ondonga Traditional Authority will be hosting the Omagongo Festival since its inception,” Angula stated. The previous edition of the festival hosted by the Ondonga people took place under the late King Kauluma Elifas in 2016. This year, King Fillemon Nangolo has chosen to dedicate the festival to forging unity among various Namibian cultures.
The festival is scheduled to run from 24 to 26 May, with the official opening ceremony set for 25 May. The Omagongo Festival is a time for people to come together, enjoy traditional music and dancing, taste the famous palm wine, and celebrate their cultural heritage. It is a vibrant and colorful event that showcases the rich traditions of the Aawambo people and brings communities together in a spirit of unity and harmony.
Attendees can expect a variety of cultural performances, traditional food and drink stalls, arts and crafts vendors, and activities for all ages. The festival provides a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about the customs and beliefs of the Aawambo people and to participate in the rich cultural traditions of Namibia.
In conclusion, the Omagongo Festival is a celebration of heritage, culture, and unity. It is a time for people to come together, honor their traditions, and celebrate the diversity of Namibia. King Fillemon Nangolo’s dedication to unity and cultural exchange at this year’s festival demonstrates the importance of preserving and promoting Namibia’s rich cultural heritage for future generations to enjoy.
Read the original article on The Namibian
