Nama Cultural Festival unites across borders
Restoring culture, language
Participants shared knowledge and strategies for keeping the Nama language and history alive across the region.
The fifth annual Nama Cultural Festival concluded over the weekend in Keetmanshoop under the theme '|Gui!nâxasib !oa da ra ||gū', meaning ‘we are striving for unity.’
The festival gathered Nama chiefs and community members from Namibia, Botswana and South Africa in a vibrant celebration of culture, heritage and language.
The overarching hope of the event was to foster unity among the Nama people and to revive the Nama language and culture across the region.
Nichodimas Cooper, a board member and heritage activist from Botswana, emphasised the important role of Namibia in these efforts.
“Namibia is the only country that still has a significant number of Namas,” he stated. “This is why Namibia is uniquely positioned to help us restore the Nama language in Botswana and revive our cultural heritage for future generations.”
The festival featured traditional dances, music and storytelling, along with panel discussions focused on the religious and philosophical foundations of the Nama and the history of the language.
Participants shared knowledge and strategies for keeping the Nama language and history alive, particularly in areas where they are at risk of being lost.
The presence of Nama chiefs from South Africa and Botswana underscored the transnational nature of this cultural revival.
Namibia brings everyone together
Edwin Salim Saidoo, chairperson of the BW Nama Development Trust in Botswana, speaking about Nama heritage in Botswana, said: “We came to the Nama festival to learn from our elders that are here in Namibia and to learn a few things to better our Nama festival in Botswana that will [take place] in August.”
Identity
Chief John Cornelius Witbooi of the |Khowese /Witbooi clan in the northern Cape highlighted the importance of solidarity and cooperation in these efforts.
"Our culture and language are our identity," he said. "By coming together, we strengthen our community and ensure that our heritage is not forgotten."
The event was a vivid reminder of the rich cultural tapestry of the Nama people and a call to action to preserve this heritage. As the festival came to a close, the sentiment among attendees was clear: unity and collaboration are essential to the survival and flourishing of the Nama culture and language.
The success of the festival in Keetmanshoop marked a significant step forward in the cultural and linguistic revival, with Namibia playing a central role in this regional effort.
The festival gathered Nama chiefs and community members from Namibia, Botswana and South Africa in a vibrant celebration of culture, heritage and language.
The overarching hope of the event was to foster unity among the Nama people and to revive the Nama language and culture across the region.
Nichodimas Cooper, a board member and heritage activist from Botswana, emphasised the important role of Namibia in these efforts.
“Namibia is the only country that still has a significant number of Namas,” he stated. “This is why Namibia is uniquely positioned to help us restore the Nama language in Botswana and revive our cultural heritage for future generations.”
The festival featured traditional dances, music and storytelling, along with panel discussions focused on the religious and philosophical foundations of the Nama and the history of the language.
Participants shared knowledge and strategies for keeping the Nama language and history alive, particularly in areas where they are at risk of being lost.
The presence of Nama chiefs from South Africa and Botswana underscored the transnational nature of this cultural revival.
Namibia brings everyone together
Edwin Salim Saidoo, chairperson of the BW Nama Development Trust in Botswana, speaking about Nama heritage in Botswana, said: “We came to the Nama festival to learn from our elders that are here in Namibia and to learn a few things to better our Nama festival in Botswana that will [take place] in August.”
Identity
Chief John Cornelius Witbooi of the |Khowese /Witbooi clan in the northern Cape highlighted the importance of solidarity and cooperation in these efforts.
"Our culture and language are our identity," he said. "By coming together, we strengthen our community and ensure that our heritage is not forgotten."
The event was a vivid reminder of the rich cultural tapestry of the Nama people and a call to action to preserve this heritage. As the festival came to a close, the sentiment among attendees was clear: unity and collaboration are essential to the survival and flourishing of the Nama culture and language.
The success of the festival in Keetmanshoop marked a significant step forward in the cultural and linguistic revival, with Namibia playing a central role in this regional effort.
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