The Tilipatye Cultural Group is stepping up to the plate to save traditional practices from decline by promoting the significance of their culture through music and drama.
The cultural group prioritise wearing traditional attire in their performances like the Mashamba skirt, which is made from reeds and often worn during traditional dances.
One of the group members Pendy Samuka, known by his stage name Sam-Lee, said the Tilipatye Cultural Group is a youthful dance ensemble renowned for its various colourful and attractive dance performances in the Zambezi region.
The group was formed in November 2019.
“We dance to our own composed songs and we sing in the Siyeyi language. In our songs, we sing about our natural resources to encourage our youth to understand the importance of our natural vegetation and game reserves. We do dramas when performing or shooting videos about traditional practices,” he said.
They are focused on educating the Namibian youth about the importance of preserving their heritage for future generations.
Additionally, they are showcasing the advantages of their traditional lifestyle, which can be less cost-effective compared to modern living; traditional lifestyles such as the practice of creating canoes from wood, crafting traditional drums using wood and animal skin, and making reed mats by hand all contribute to the rich tapestry of their culture.
Samuka told VIBEZ! that although they do cultural songs, they remind both elders and youth about the past.
He added that their attire symbolises the natural beauty of Namibia and the different species of animals Namibia has. – epicnakwezy@gmail.com