Lahja Nashuuta As the sounds of traditional music, cultural performances and preparations for the annual Olufuko Cultural Festival fill Outapi, traditional leaders in the Omusati region are calling on Namibians to protect and celebrate their cultural heritage. Among those supporting the festival is Malakia Shoombe of the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority, who says Olufuko is a... The post Omusati traditional leaders support Olufuko appeared first on New Era .
Lahja Nashuuta
As the sounds of traditional music, cultural performances and preparations for the annual Olufuko Cultural Festival fill Outapi, traditional leaders in the Omusati region are calling on Namibians to protect and celebrate their cultural heritage. Among those supporting the festival is Malakia Shoombe of the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority, who says Olufuko is a reminder that Namibia can embrace democracy and modern development without abandoning its traditions.
Speaking at the Olufuko fundraising gala dinner in Outapi, Shoombe said the festival represents more than a celebration. It is a way of keeping cultural knowledge alive and passing it on to younger generations.
“Olufuko is a sign that Namibia does not abandon its culture and traditions in the era of democracy,” he said.
The 15th edition of the Olufuko Cultural Festival is taking place at the Olufuko Cultural Centre in Outapi from 24 August to 1 September 2026 under the theme “Our Culture, Our Pride, Our Heritage.” The official opening ceremony is scheduled for today.
At the heart of the festival is the traditional Olufuko initiation ceremony, which this year will see about 120 young girls undergo the rite of passage. The ceremony seeks to instil values such as discipline, respect, responsibility, self-esteem, cultural identity and leadership.
Shoombe said such traditional practices existed long before Christianity and played an important role in preparing young women for adulthood, family responsibilities and life in the community.
But the festival has grown beyond the initiation ceremony. It has become a major cultural and economic gathering, bringing together traditional leaders, businesses, government institutions, artists, cultural practitioners, entrepreneurs and visitors.
This year’s programme includes cultural exhibitions, traditional performances, business and SME showcases, tourism promotion and community activities. A cultural dialogue, known as Oxungi, will also provide a platform for discussions on cultural preservation, indigenous knowledge, education, youth and women’s empowerment, tourism and entrepreneurship.
With 165 exhibitors registered, the festival is expected to generate business opportunities for local entrepreneurs, food vendors, transport operators and accommodation providers while attracting visitors to Outapi.
Shoombe welcomed the revival of cultural practices, saying culture can also help communities confront social challenges such as gender-based violence, rape, alcohol abuse, poverty and unemployment.
“As traditional leaders, we support Olufuko and want it to be respected. Democracy and other practices should not overshadow our culture,” he said. For the traditional leaders, Olufuko is therefore not simply a festival. It is a bridge between Namibia’s past and its future.
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