By Jessica Thomas
WINDHOEK – A perception exists that Namibia is a country laden with desert sand, people who drink beer and sit on the ‘stoep’ with a wooden pocket knife eating biltong.
Let me dig around in the salad of wonder and get to the croissant of truth.
Namibia is a cosmopolitan of vibrant and colourful people. Before you raise your eyebrows, I am not talking about skin colour. I am referring to something much more than meets the eye. It’s about the cultural rainbow lingering as you wander along the gravel roads. As Chester Higgins, Jr once said: “We are not Africans because we are born in Africa; we are Africans because Africa is born in us.” In this case I want to change the word Africa to Namibia.
The Ovahimba from northern Namibia are a perfect example of living life in full colour. Their skin is as richly red as the sand dunes. A mixture of the ochre pigment and butterfat is not applied because they want to stand out but due to water scarcity, and serves as an insect repellant. Their attire consists of fancy jewellery handcrafted with utmost care which indicates their age and status. This is perfectly rounded off with a calfskin skirt and sandals.
The San people of the Kalahari survive without Gucci jeans and double-storey homes. Their biggest concern is not about having the latest Apple product. They ponder peacefully around a fireplace about life under a mantle of stars on a silk carpet of red sand. Their nightlife consists of a zooming chirr of insects under the glowing moon.
The Herero people are tres chic with their own special line existing of gaudy and lively coloured garments. Donatella Versace’s latest red carpet creation looks like a fashion faux pas compared to their embellishment of pink, green, orange and matching head gear. Their riches and wealth are not measured in the latest release of Mercedes but rather the amount of cattle they own.
Don’t get me wrong, the people in Namibia don’t live simply; we simply live.
Nature provides us with among the best adventure parks known to man. The playground is set in the Fish River Canyon which spans over a distance of 160km, a width of 27km and almost 550m deep. Enough with the technicalities; the Fish River Canyon brings about a change within your soul when you decide to hike this majestic wonder. It is a seemingly limitless creation which varies in vegetation with every passing hour you spend walking. The descent of the rocky outcrops quickly changes into soft white sand hugging your feet, transforming into a floor covered in stone tiles randomly placed and patches of solitude in the form of thorn trees. It is here where you can strip yourself naked of all the world’s worries and dig deep within yourself to find the true meaning of existence. It might have been my imagination but I think I could hear the stars whisper about the moon’s real identity.
If this type of ruggedness is not really your craze, the Namib Desert holds its own enchantment. It is much more than just sand. Underneath the naked redness lie secrets that only those who look will find. The fun part about the desert is the dance of the wind and the romance between sky and dunes. You have to listen closely to hear the song and when you do, don’t refrain from tapping along to the beat.
To cool off and wash away the sand from your lips, the rivers along the northern parts of the country are vigorous and snake like, but alongside the riverbeds are steppes, villages and towns. From afar and to the naked eye it looks almost weary, the people look sad and the trails disappear into a scene of huts. Upon closer scrutiny, you get to experience their souls as you watch fishermen come home from a day of labour to ensure their loved ones are taken care of.
As daylight fades and the sun is swallowed up by the horizon, and the rough-skinned frogs prepare for their karaoke set, fire popping sounds can be heard all along the reeds and grass standing tall in the dark gum-like riverbed clay.
The opportunities for the adrenalin seeker are endless. Be venturesome by hopping on a hot air balloon, be audacious and bold on a dune boarding expedition or let your hair loose on a sky diving adventure.
If you are looking to nourish the romantic sizzle burning inside, the star speckled night life will leave you with peace and harmony, and as the sun greets the day, an orchestra of singing birds sets the mood for the day ahead.
Namibia is more than a country, it’s a feeling.
This article was featured in the Afrikan Mbiu online magazine: http://www.afrikanmbiu.com/
• Jessica Thomas is a local freelance writer. She is an eccentric young lady who has a love affair with writing. Get on board her journey of discovery.