Olufuko promotes celibacy – Nujoma

Former president Sam Nujoma said the Olufuko Cultural Festival promotes celibacy until marriage and teaches the girls undergoing the initiation to “have respect for their bodies”.He made the remarks on Saturday at Outapi in the Omusati Region during the official opening of the 10th edition of the festival, in a speech read on his behalf by deputy information minister Modestus Amutse.Nujoma said the Olufuko Cultural Festival is an old tradition that sees women teach young girls, who have to be virgins in order to participate, how they should act as adults.“Nowadays, this has become an opportunity to teach school girls about their culture. Nobody will promote and maintain our own culture except ourselves. The festival is a melting pot of diverse cultures, languages and customs,” he said.Essence of traditionNujoma said the celebrations, held under the theme ‘Our culture, our pride, our heritage’, demonstrates the consistency and growth of Olufuko since its inception. This annual event also embodies the essence of tradition and serves as a testament to the legacy passed down through generations, he said.“It gives me great pleasure to see a good number of initiates with their parents as well as many people from different parts of the country who have come to grace the occasion with their presence.”Pivotal roleHigher education minister Itah Kandjii-Murangi, who officiated the event, said the festival celebrates the significance of the pivotal role cultural heritage has in human life. It allows people to recognise the educational function culture has in laying our foundation as social beings - in homes, in communities and in society at large, she noted.“As we celebrate and affirm who we are in this rich tapestry of the Namibian cultural heritage, we are equally reminded of the importance and the need for its preservation for generations to come." Kandji-Murangi added that culture is not just a collection of traditions and practices, it is the “heartbeat of the nation, the essence of who Namibians are as a people”.“Our traditions are not mere relics of the past, but living expressions that continue to shape our present and guide our future. These are the bonds that unite our nations,” she said.This year, the festival attracted 85 girls who underwent the initiation.

Olufuko promotes celibacy – Nujoma

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-07

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Olufuko promotes celibacy – Nujoma

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Namibian Sun 2025-03-07

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