Ndinoshiho 200830341

Introduction

Ovawambo is considered as one of the largest tribe in Namibia with different tribes and cultures that are different because of inhabitants that live in various locations. Ovambandja is one of the Ovawambo tribes that were originally settled from the northern part of the country specifically from Okalongo in Omusati Region. Most of them however were raised and educated in Angola and that is where their grandmothers and fathers are. The article will shed more light on the culture and heritage of Ovambandja people, how the traditional wedding of Ovambandja is done as well as the norms and standards that are believed to be correct and those that are considered not in accordance with the Ovambandja tribe or culture..

Traditional Wedding

According to the Traditional Review Report (2010) Ovambandja tribe still believe in their cultural heritage as others tribes such as Kwanyama and Oshindonga do. They still practice traditional weeding called “olufuko” in their vernacular language. Girls in their early 15s are taken through this practice in order to prepare them for the womanhood and marriage issues should they got married in the future. There has been a lot of arguments about this practice but Mrs Sophia Shaningwa current Regional Council of Omusati Region in her speech during Olufuko Festival ( 2012) enforced that ‘’ Olufuko is done to get ready and stimulate the traditional believes in our young girls especially Ovambandja girls’’. Furthermore Ovambandja people have norms that are believed and have been proved traditionally that they must be avoided since they violate the value, heritage and standards that are regarded unethical in the eyes of the ancestor. For example a person is not allowed to eat while standing because apparently ‘’ you are cursing yourself to not get a permanent place to stay in the future’’. Grandmother Maria Shikongo (2010). They are a lot of forbidden practices that Mbandja people especially adults are striving to maintain in order to preserve the heritage of this tribe to the upcoming generation. This will thus eliminate the adopting or any influence from other culture, especially nowadays teenage do not have proud and fundamental nature of appreciating their tribe, they are being influenced by foreigners’ cultures and custom. In the conclusion it should be noted that Ovambandja tribe is one of the Ovawambo tribes that still preserve culture and heritage for its future generation. Activities such as traditional weeding are still being done to strengthen the fundamental temperament of this tribe’s culture. However the book by Muho, JF (2010) outlined that Mbandja people are falling under the underprivileged communities and the government should invest more in social economic projects in these regions to stimulate social economic development in rural areas. This will not only empower people in the disadvantaged but the whole nation.