Businessman and staff cultivate Uukwaluudhi palace crops
Northern businessman Johannes Kambwela, together with 50 of his staff, last week voluntarily took part in the traditional cultivation of a crop field at Uukwaluudhi in an effort to preserve a long-standing cultural practice.
The event took place last Friday at Uukwaluudhi tribe leader Josia Taapopi’s crop field at Onaluhwa village in Omusati Region.
The practice is known as ‘Okakungungu’ and is carried out on a voluntary basis.
In an interview with Ewi lyaNooli, Kambwela explained that preserving cultural practices is of crucial importance.
He further explained that, in the past, as a businessman, he usually took part by sending resources to the royal homestead, but this time he decided to be present himself.
“Normally, as a businessman, I sent food and drinks for those who are going to volunteer to cultivate the land, but this time around I decided to come myself. I pitched the idea to my employees, and they loved the initiative, and that is how it came to be a reality,” he explained.
“Our culture is our pride, and we were happy to do that.”
Respect
He said that taking part in the ritual is fulfilling and easy to do.
"You go there with your hoe and your energy, and when you are done, you go back with your hoe and your energy."
Kambwela called on Namibians to honour and respect their culture and preserve their heritage. He noted that if culture and heritage are neglected, the next generation will not know where they come from.
“We need to keep our culture alive and make sure that we don’t rob the future generations of knowing how their forefathers lived,” he said.
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The event took place last Friday at Uukwaluudhi tribe leader Josia Taapopi’s crop field at Onaluhwa village in Omusati Region.
The practice is known as ‘Okakungungu’ and is carried out on a voluntary basis.
In an interview with Ewi lyaNooli, Kambwela explained that preserving cultural practices is of crucial importance.
He further explained that, in the past, as a businessman, he usually took part by sending resources to the royal homestead, but this time he decided to be present himself.
“Normally, as a businessman, I sent food and drinks for those who are going to volunteer to cultivate the land, but this time around I decided to come myself. I pitched the idea to my employees, and they loved the initiative, and that is how it came to be a reality,” he explained.
“Our culture is our pride, and we were happy to do that.”
Respect
He said that taking part in the ritual is fulfilling and easy to do.
"You go there with your hoe and your energy, and when you are done, you go back with your hoe and your energy."
Kambwela called on Namibians to honour and respect their culture and preserve their heritage. He noted that if culture and heritage are neglected, the next generation will not know where they come from.
“We need to keep our culture alive and make sure that we don’t rob the future generations of knowing how their forefathers lived,” he said.
[email protected]
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