Oshakati Totem Expo is back
All Namibians welcome
The Totem Expo aims to provide a platform for all Namibians to learn about and strengthen their cultures.
After a three-year hiatus, the Oshakati Totem Expo is making a comeback and will take place from 4 to 10 December under the theme 'Strengthening ties through culture'.
On Friday, Oshakati mayor Leonard Hango officially launched the festival, which had been put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hango said the concept of the Totem Expo was developed by the council in 2012. Although it did not initially attract a large audience, over the years it has transformed into a practical, educational and enjoyable event. Now, they have exhibitors participating from across the nation and abroad.
"Culture is inevitable in our society, especially during this time of different cultural dynamics, and we rely on the expo to close the gap between cultural values and modern practices within our society," he said.
Fundraising
He said to make the expo a success, they will host a fundraising gala dinner, which is scheduled to take place on 30 September.
The Totem Expo aims to provide a platform for all Namibians to learn about and strengthen their cultures. It also provides a platform for enterprises, institutions and business sectors to sell and showcase their products and services.
Uukwambi chief Herman Iipumbu encouraged the youth to attend the expo to learn about their totems so they can keep culture alive for future generations.
To participate, corporate stalls are expected to cost N$5 000. Small and medium enterprises stalls will cost N$1 500; kapana stalls will cost N$1 500; outdoor stalls will cost N$750; traditional stalls will cost N$500; cultural groups will pay N$500; and artists as well as musicians who wish to perform during the expo will have to pay a N$500 fee.
Opinion voiced
Iipumbu also used the platform to speak out against the recent Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage.
"It is not cultural. We will not defend that ruling. Not in Namibia, not in Africa, and not in the eight northern traditional authorities. Our generations need to grow, and that can only be done by a man and a woman. Not a man and man, or a woman and woman, marrying each other. It will never happen," he said, to a loud round of applause.
On Friday, Oshakati mayor Leonard Hango officially launched the festival, which had been put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hango said the concept of the Totem Expo was developed by the council in 2012. Although it did not initially attract a large audience, over the years it has transformed into a practical, educational and enjoyable event. Now, they have exhibitors participating from across the nation and abroad.
"Culture is inevitable in our society, especially during this time of different cultural dynamics, and we rely on the expo to close the gap between cultural values and modern practices within our society," he said.
Fundraising
He said to make the expo a success, they will host a fundraising gala dinner, which is scheduled to take place on 30 September.
The Totem Expo aims to provide a platform for all Namibians to learn about and strengthen their cultures. It also provides a platform for enterprises, institutions and business sectors to sell and showcase their products and services.
Uukwambi chief Herman Iipumbu encouraged the youth to attend the expo to learn about their totems so they can keep culture alive for future generations.
To participate, corporate stalls are expected to cost N$5 000. Small and medium enterprises stalls will cost N$1 500; kapana stalls will cost N$1 500; outdoor stalls will cost N$750; traditional stalls will cost N$500; cultural groups will pay N$500; and artists as well as musicians who wish to perform during the expo will have to pay a N$500 fee.
Opinion voiced
Iipumbu also used the platform to speak out against the recent Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage.
"It is not cultural. We will not defend that ruling. Not in Namibia, not in Africa, and not in the eight northern traditional authorities. Our generations need to grow, and that can only be done by a man and a woman. Not a man and man, or a woman and woman, marrying each other. It will never happen," he said, to a loud round of applause.
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