The third edition of the annual Ombazu and Eraka festival under the auspices of Veneruru Mieze is set to take place on Saturday at the Okakarara Trade Fair Centre, under the theme ‘Cultural Awareness Raising and the Youth’.
The festival dates back three years, with its first edition held at Okozonduzu village in the Okakarara Constituency under the patronage of late Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Otjiherero Radio service manager, Alex Jarimbaovandu Kaputu.
Confirming the event to Nampa on Wednesday, festival pioneer Charles Veneruru Mieze stated that the event is of great significance and contribute immensely to culture-building as people have begun to appreciate their cultures. He said the event has since its inception attracted a massive crowd where the rich and colourful cultural heritage of the OvaHerero people is exhibited as an extravaganza of performances including onderera, traditional dances and educational speeches on the importance and advancement of the Herero language.
According to Mieze, the event was created following “the success of the Olufuko festival” which has now become a household name event on the national calendar.
“I came up with the idea of initiating this event after witnessing other cultural events such as Olufuko, so I also it took upon myself to coin our very own cultural event to educate our people on various cultural activities like traditional dances (Outjina and Omuhiva), peer group activities, marriages’ activities and values and others,” he said, adding that the event will thus be documented and archived for future references.
Mieze further reiterated that the event is an important example of community cohesion at the grassroots, stating that it also pledges to foster and build bridges and understanding in the community, while respecting and abiding by cultural activities laws, especially amongst the youth.
Mieze is further looking into expanding the event to other parts of the country to be enjoyed by all, with Opuwo set to host next year’s event.
He also stated that the organising committee will see to it that all COVID-19 measures and protocols are adhered to and will provide hand sanitisers at all entrances while enforcing the mandatory wearing of face masks.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
