Omagongo Festival brews unity and cultural pride
Vice president Lucia Witbooi says the Omagongo Festival is more than a cultural celebration, describing it as a symbol of unity, identity and the preservation of Namibia’s heritage. The festival, which is scheduled for 23 May at Onamega in the Omusati region, aims to celebrate omagongo, the traditional fermented beverage made from the marula fruit. […] The post Omagongo Festival brews unity and cultural pride appeared first on The Namibian.
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Vice president Lucia Witbooi says the Omagongo Festival is more than a cultural celebration, describing it as a symbol of unity, identity and the preservation of Namibia’s heritage.
The festival, which is scheduled for 23 May at Onamega in the Omusati region, aims to celebrate omagongo, the traditional fermented beverage made from the marula fruit.
Speaking at a gala dinner in Windhoek on Saturday evening, Witbooi described the festival as a gathering that protects memory and nationhood.
“It is a gathering that reminds us that the strength of a nation is not measured only by the size of its economy. The Omagongo Festival occupies a special place in the cultural life of our people,” she said.
Witbooi said the significance of the festival extends beyond the drink itself, as it reflects community values, hospitality and respect for elders.
She added that it also symbolises the transfer of knowledge and traditions from one generation to another.
In 2015, omagongo-making was recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizsation as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
According to Witbooi, the recognition was not only an honour for one community or region, but for the entire country.
She said the recognition confirmed that communities have preserved practices and values that contribute to humanity through discipline, continuity and cultural commitment.
Witbooi urged that the festival remain a living platform for cultural education and national unity.
She called on traditional leaders, the private sector, state-owned enterprises, development partners and communities to support such initiatives through tangible action rather than promises alone.
The post Omagongo Festival brews unity and cultural pride appeared first on The Namibian.
