OLUFUKO FESTIVAL Olufuko[1] is a female initiation under which girls between the ages of 16-20 have to go through in order to become mature and marriageable women. it is normally done when a girl starts her menstruation and it is performed by a woman or a man called Namunganga.
It is perfomed mainly by the following tribes:
- Aakwanyama
- Ovambalantu
- Aankolokadhi
- Aakwaludhi
- Aambandja
It takes place in Ombalantu in Omusati region. The ceremony is said to have died out more then 80 years ago but this year the Outapi Town Council re-introduced the ceremony which took place from 21-27 August 2012.
The cultural event is aimed at equiping and preparing young girls for womanhood, the girls are kept at the Namunganga's house for 7 days making sure that they are well bathed. Among the homestead are rooms designed for traditional leaders, a kraal, a pounding section and huts for sleeping. Girls are required to remain in the homestead for the whole entire period.
Before sunset the brides are set to walk half naked around the homestead in the process showing their breast to the eyes of those present. That follows a stage where they are greeted by a selected number of boys under the age of 13. The boys act like their boyfriends and they are responsible for giving the brides chickens for them to prepare that they will later eat. they are paired with younger boys because order boys will take advantage of them.
The girls are required to prove their virginity by passing under the legs of the Namunganga. They are required to pound Mahangu and Sorghum during the day and they are also given mixed herbs in order to be tested if they are pregnant. The girls are dressed in attractive hand made traditional jewellery and animal hides and dresses called Odelela.
The ceremony is filled with traditional rhythms, dances and folk songs.