Cultural festivals are huge in the Namibian house. We love cultural festivals. Every tertiary institution features one. We have independent cultural festivals. We have cultural festivals in the regions. They are everywhere. We can safely assume that cultural festivals are a Namibian way of life.

However, the last cultural festival I attended left me wondering what a cultural festival should look like. What are the standards when it comes to a cultural festival? The last one I attended was limited to two things…booze and sub-standard foreign music. Everything about this specific festival was everything but a celebration of Namibian culture (or any culture for that matter). 

The majority of the stalls’ main value proposition was booze. Every stall had their own portable Bluetooth speaker blasting Master KG and Scotts Maphuma. The food was limited to braaivleis and kapana. 

That’s it. Here’s the thing…after experiencing this year’s edition of the /Ae //Gams festival, no one will convince me that a cultural festival is supposed to be limited to booze and music. 

If you spent an hour or two at this year’s /Ae //Gams festival…you will have no qualms admitting it was well-organised. It reeked of innovation. Namibian culture was alive and on full display at the /Ae //Gams festival. Vendors were fully dressed in traditional attire. The stalls offered a plethora of food from all tribes in Namibia. 

I learnt so much at every stall because every vendor made it their business to fully explain the food and the drinks. They had a make-shift ‘tombo’ ghetto that had all the traditional Oshiwambo drinks on offer – including my hart se punt…Ombike. 

Throughout the day, I experienced cultural dance movements. The music was limited to the main stage, rightfully so. The music on the main stage represented the diverse landscape of the Namibian house. There were no stories of “the usual faces” on stage. There was ample seating. There was enough parking. The ablution facilities were surprisingly clean. I say surprisingly, because we all know the toilets at these festivals are a horror show. The prices were reasonable. I got to enjoy “gulu gulu”…a traditional Damara version of dumplings. I got to enjoy “seswaa”…a traditional Setswana version of pulled and pounded meat. DELICIOUS AF!!!

There were “artsy” stalls that spoke to my inner child. There was a kiddies’ area. An actual kiddies’ area…not those zula kiddies’ areas where there’s just a jumping castle. This one had a bit of everything. Now that….boys and girls is a top-tier cultural festival event. It was not limited to booze and music. 

If it’s not on that level…I don’t want it. I believe going forward, that’s what we need to demand. We cannot accept cultural festivals that are limited to booze and music and zero culture. So, if you are going to a cultural festival from this point onwards…ask yourself, what about this space screams “culture”? If it’s just about booze and music…leave or don’t go at all. You work extremely hard for your money. Don’t spend it at substandard spaza cultural festivals.

 Until the next Loop, we say #GMTM. To advertise on the podcast…email Makoyatsr@gmail.com for a quote.