The Roots

Just like how a tree needs strong roots to penetrate deep into the hardest core of the earth for its survival and well-being, so as the human being. I believe that human beings have birth rights, which the nature has already invested into the culture and traditions of the clan or societal group they belong to. It is therefore the responsibility of the people of a certain clan, tribe or tradition to deepen the roots of their dos and do not’s by maintaining their cultural and traditional ways of living. Appreciating ones culture, brings unity through interaction. Interaction helps us to study others and gives us a chance to see how we can help one another in our communities. This promotes peace and team work which is vital for all of us living humans. Team work  develops communities

This article is a journey into the cultural and traditional ways of my clan, please sit down and enjoy the ride.

 
From Owamboland, in the Northern part of Namibia, hails the Oshiwambo speaking people. These people make up the largest part of the Namibian population and are referred to as Wambo. The Wambo clan comprises of many different dialects which include: Kwambi,ndonga,kwanyama,mbadja,ngandjera,kwaluudhi,kolonkadhi and mbalantu. The unique concept about these eight dialects is that, as Wamboes, we can all understand each other and communicate very well.

1.  Dressing Code

 The Wambo people are identified by their beautiful bright pink colored attire called “Odhelela”. Sometimes this attire is worn accompanied by many other symbolical objects such as cow-skin belts which symbolizes the pride we have in our cows. Cows are part of our riches. The attire can also be worn together with mussel shell beads which symbolizes our sea. The beads can be in the neck and waist and depict how wealthier an individual is.

 The pink Odhelela attire can be designed in many different styles. The culture does not discriminate, thus even children can be accommodated in their little pink designs.

 Mothers of the Oshiwambo clan love dressing their kids in the traditional attire to instill the sense of belonging and the love of culture.

 Matured Wambo ladies prefer different kinds of smart designs which perfects their looks.

 A wambo Couple can also design an attire in the way that favours them.

 Within the designs of our attires, there is also a traditional everyday-worn dress called “eentulo/ohema yeentulo”. This kind of dress is slightly different and can be designed in different kinds of materials of different colors. The word “Ontulo” which literary means chest, depicts that this kind of dress has a unique design at the chest part.

While Some may still prefer this kind of dress in pink color, others may prefer it in different colors.

2. Cultural Events 

 Our culture entails a lot of different kinds of events such as welcoming and naming a new born in the family, celebrating the birth of twins, Omagongo festival, namesake dressing a bride before the wedding day are some of the best events. We also have a specific day, just for celebrating culture.During these events, Wamboes are still identified by the beautiful pink. Friends and visitors do take part in these events too.

Celebrating the Oshiwambo culture on the cultural day

3. Traditional dishes and beverages

The Wambo people have a variety of traditional food. The mopane worms, are one of the largest edible caterpillar. They grow on mopane trees and are said to be rich in protein . They are a very delicious meal which is important to the wamboes .

 Amongst the traditional dishes omboga” wild spinach is also one of the common dish. It can be eaten fresh or after drying it in the sun. After it is dried in the sun it is called ehanda/ekaka

dried omboga

Beverages

The Marula tree "omugongo" is one of the most  important indigenous trees around. It  gives  Marula fruits which produce Marula traditional beer and many other benefits.

marula fruits

 The marula fruits are squeezed to extract juice which later on ferment and turns into a traditional marula beer

The traditional bird plum tree "omuye"

The fruits are eaten fresh or dried. The fruits can also be used for Wambo liquor a traditional beer

 4.Artifacts

Our culture is rich in artifacts. The most common ones are the weaved baskets,clay pots,wooden cups, bows and arrows, herding sticks and wooden spoons. Few years ago, baskets were only made from palm leaves, but now they can be made barely from anything that can stretch.Baskets are used in many ways, but there is one way which surpasses all. That is,when we go for a visit, we put gifts and wrap the baskets in an attractive cloth. We carry our baskets on the head to show that the visitor has come in peace. When visiting a family which is mourning, the baskets are carried in hands to show that the visitor is also mourning.

A beautiful young lady of my clan displaying a Palm leaves's basket

Basket from other kinds of materials

 Going for a happy visit

 Clay pots are also part of our artifacts. They are made from clay soil. For the clay pot to be successfully made, a hole is in the ground and covered on top. The underground hole resembles a warm room and it is called “odzimbogo”

The clay pots are then thrown in the fire and burned so that they become strong and change from the greyish colour to an attractive brown reddish colour

 The owambo artifacts also include the wooden cups “omaholo”. Wooden cups are used for drinking. On the wedding day, the wooden cup is filled with the fermented traditional beer "omalovu giilya"and  it is given to the bride to drink, the bride will then pass the wooden cup to the groom to finish the drink. This symbolizes the journey of sharing the new couple is embarking on.

Bows and arrows also play an important role in culture of a wambo. On the wedding day, it is very necessary for a representative from the father side of the groom to reward the groom with bows, arrows and a herding stick. This is for the groom to take care of his family and protect the family from whatever kinds of attacks. The herding stick symbolizes that the groom shall herd a lot of cows and shall bare male children to herd the fathers cattle.

 During the wedding ceremonies, artifacts of all kinds are passed on to the couple as presents from brides maids and from people of the community.

 Wamboes also respect a hoe as part of their artifact. They use it to cultivate Mahangu” finger millet" which is the clan’s staple food. From a very early stage, children are trained by their parents on how to grow and cultivate finger millets using a hoe.

After harvesting, the finger millet grains are dried and poured into a hole-like opening in the ground, oshini” and grinded with a pounding stick, omushi” until it turns into meal meal. However, living in wet Namibia, one has to think fast and own a mobile grinding place due to the fact that during the raining season, the usual grinding place will be under water.

 We also have different kinds of weaved storage. In the storage we keep our belonging safe. It all depends with the size. Ranging from smaller storage where we keep our beads and necklaces to bigger storage where we keep Mahangu finger millet for a whole year.

 You know what? staying far fromyour village, must not let you forget your roots. in my case, the love of my culture has followed me to wherever I have traveled to . Look up my cardboard there. Can You see those baskets? There are a lot of different artifacts of my tribe there.

 Before we end the journey, look at how we carry babies of our clan. Here, a beautiful cloth is turned into a baby carry bag which one can choose to either carry the baby from the front or at the back. I personally love carrying my babies on the back because I have a lot of chores to attend to.

 Now u know my roots, how about you telling me about yours?......OK... OK I heard you. Just allow me to thank you for being on this journey with me.  Remember, a united clan can kill an elephant with one stone, so embrace your culture.

If you find any design or artifact of our clan that you would like to have, kindly let us know. the designers are from my community. I will be glad if you decide to support them. You may just lend them a helping hand. Stay tuned for next week's article. 

Note : All rights reserved for the pictures used in this article