OSHAKATI – The Oshakati Totem Expo is a vibrant annual celebration that goes beyond a mere display of cultural symbols. At its heart, the expo is dedicated to promoting culture and ensuring the vital transmission of clan identity, particularly among the Ovawambo clans.
The annual event started in 2012 and involves commercial activities and a parade of floats showcasing the totems of participating groups.
The presence of totems at the expo creates a powerful visual language, with each emblem narrating tales of ancestry, tradition, and belonging.
The street processions that kick off the expo are more than just parades; they are living lessons.
As each clan proudly showcases its totem, they provide a tangible link to their heritage, offering onlookers an invaluable opportunity to learn about the diverse tapestry of clans, each with unique symbols, histories, and often, associated customs and responsibilities.
These totems serve as anchors, grounding individuals in their lineage and fostering a deeper understanding of their place within the broader community.
This year’s Totem Expo started last Friday concludes this Saturday. Residents of Oshakati have praised the Oshakati Town Council initiative, recognising its role in fostering a sense of belonging and clan identity among young people.
Junia Shoopala (43) described it as a great idea that will ensure younger generations grow up with a clear understanding of their heritage.
Shoopala reflected on his own experience, noting that many of his generation only learned about their ancestral clans later in life.
“Growing up, we did not know our own identity as a clan. We only got to know it when we were older,” he explained, emphasising the crucial value of such lessons for the youth.
The expo’s impact extends beyond Oshakati. Shakira Vries (30) visiting from Oranjemund, found the event “eye-opening,” noting the absence of similar displays of clan identity in her own area.
Experiencing the totem display for the first time, Vries expressed her amazement at the traditional performances and the insights she gained.
This clearly demonstrates how the expo functions as a dynamic classroom, connecting generations with their roots and offering invaluable understanding to those unfamiliar with different clans.
The Mafwe Traditional Authority is participating in the expo for the first time.
Its spokesperson, Eustance Mbanga, said Litunga George Simasiku Mamili VII nominated a team from his Khuta and a dancing group to represent them.
Mbanga explained that the Mafwe people are traditionally divided into six clans, each linked to a specific animal: the elephant (Mukwevu), buffalo (Mukwanyati), hippopotamus (Mukwazita), leopard (Mukwashanya), hyena (Mulambwa), and crocodile (Mukwangala).
The Khuta logo, featuring a bull elephant, symbolises the Mafwe people’s belief in the elephant as the largest and most powerful animal, representing their own perception of being a great, diversified, united, and powerful community in Zambezi.
Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, has called for a broader perspective on the Totem Expo, urging it to be viewed as a national rather than solely a northern event.
“Our totems are part of a much larger African story, and that story deserves to be told on global platforms,” she stated, advocating for the promotion of the totems’ rich cultural significance and their connection to wider African heritage on the world stage.
The expo’s first day featured musical performances by renowned Namibian artists. The official opening ceremony which took place Saturday also included praising and dance competitions by various cultural groups.
Adding to the festivities, the Miss Womalenga Beauty Pageant, the first-ever cultural beauty pageant for women aged 35 and above, will also take place during the week.
Other exciting events include a boxing bonanza, the characteristic Ohungi (storytelling and history), singing and dancing competitions, as well as the Miss Totem Beauty Pageant and Mr Totem Bodybuilding Show.
-Nampa