By George Sanzila
BUKALO – The settlement of Bukalo, the traditional seat of Masubia Chief Kisco Liswani III, was a hive of cultural celebration when thousands of people attended the ‘Bwinkuhane Bwetu’ festival of the Masubia people on Saturday.
Multitudes of young and old from all walks of life, some travelling from Windhoek and other major towns in Namibia, and beyond the borders from Zambia and Botswana, converged at Bukalo to feast on mouth-watering traditional cuisine, listen to traditional music and witness ancestral dances.
The event was primarily a gathering of the Masubia people who settled in Zambia and Botswana during the illegal occupation of Namibia by the apartheid South African regime.
Amid pomp and pageantry the colourful traditional attire known as musisi, which mimicks the colours of a peacock and often associated with sipelu a famous Masubia dance, dominated the prestigious get-together.
Chief Moffat Maiba Nkonkwena of the Masubia people in Botswana who has become a regular at the festival and Chief Joseph Tembwe Mayuni of the Mashi people also graced the occassion.
Scores of Cabinet ministers, governors and other dignitaries including the founding president Dr Sam Nujoma observed the celebration at the palace of Chief Kisco Liswani III.
A moment of silence was observed in memory of the fallen Masubia chiefs, before Natamoyo Morris Muyatwa narrated the lineage of Masubia chiefs and traditional shrines that are located in areas such as Luhonono (Shuckmannsburg), Kasika, Ngoma, Impalila and even beyond Namibia’s borders in Botswana and Zambia.
Nujoma who spoke at the event hailed the courage shown by the traditional authorities during Namibia’s protracted war of liberation and appealed for a united nation.
“I would like to convey my gratitude to the traditional authority. Orders were given by our traditional leaders that we be given assistance to continue the fight. We must remain united, a united people striving to achieve the common good will always emerge victorious,” he said.
In his message Chief Liswani III said apart from celebrating their culture and remembering fallen chiefs and fellow tribesmen, the Masubia people are contented with the pace of development brought by government.
“We appreciate the peace and development in the country, particularly in the Zambezi Region. These include the Ikumwe to Nakabolelwa road, Isize to Luhonono, the development of Bukalo Village Council, the upgrading of police stations at Ngoma, Luhonono and Kasika and the auction pan at Lusese,” further noted the chief.
However Chief Liswani III wants a robust approach towards poverty eradication. “The issue of poverty still needs to be addressed. Agriculture must be improved. More conservancies must be established as well as community projects. I urge my people to work hard in order to improve their lives,” further urged the chief.
With the Kalimbeza rice project receiving prominence, Chief Liswani III reiterated his call for the upgrading of the Kalimbeza road.
“Some roads in my area of jurisdiction need to be tarred. We know how busy these roads are, like Muyako and Kalimbeza roads,” he noted.
The youth as usual congested the business area, at times affecting the free flow of traffic.
Small traders also saw the opportunity to cash in on business presented on the day.
Braaied meat and cool drinks formed part of their merchandise.
Among ministers present and other high-profile individuals were the Deputy Minister of Defence, Petrus Ilonga, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Bernad Esau, the Minister of Health and Social Services Richard Kamwi, the Deputy Minister of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture, Juliet Kavetuna, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Doreen Sioka, the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Alpheus Muheua, the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Sebastian Ndeitunga, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, George Simataa, Erongo Governor Cleophus Mutjavikua, Omusati Governor Sophia Shaningwa and businesswoman Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun.
Masubia people make up a large percentage of the ethnic population of Zambezi Region.
They are known as river people due to the livelihood they draw from riverine food such as fish and water lilies traditionally known as isoto.
The majority of Masubia people live in the eastern Zambezi plains stretching from Muyako and Mahundu to Kalimbeza and Luhonono along Zambezi to Kasika and Impalila.