Ekipa production to be strictly controlled

SALES of the traditional Namibian ivory amulets known as ekipas will resume within the next three months, a senior official in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism said yesterday.

Dr Pauline Lindeque, the Ministry’s Director for Scientific Support Services, told The Namibian this week that the Ministry was still working on control measures to regulate the production and sale of ekipas. She said the Ministry, in collaboration with the Jewellers’ Association, was also identifying and registering ivory carvers.Only registered carvers will be allowed to obtain ivory from the national stockpile for ekipa production.The Ministry says other regulations include marking and registering every amulet produced, and ensuring that all aspects of manufacturing and sale conform to Cites standards.The Jewellers’ Association of Namibia (Jassona) has committed itself to developing partnerships with community-based carvers, and will add value by incorporating ekipas in high-value jewellery pieces.The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) last year permitted Namibia to trade in ekipas for non-commercial purposes.This means that ekipas can be sold to individual tourists for their own personal use, but cannot be sold in bulk to outside markets.Ekipas are highly respected cultural objects, mainly carved in northern Namibia and in southern Angola.They are in high demand because of their aesthetic quality and cultural value.They can fetch up to US$1 000 a piece and are mainly bought by American and European tourists.She said the Ministry, in collaboration with the Jewellers’ Association, was also identifying and registering ivory carvers.Only registered carvers will be allowed to obtain ivory from the national stockpile for ekipa production.The Ministry says other regulations include marking and registering every amulet produced, and ensuring that all aspects of manufacturing and sale conform to Cites standards.The Jewellers’ Association of Namibia (Jassona) has committed itself to developing partnerships with community-based carvers, and will add value by incorporating ekipas in high-value jewellery pieces.The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) last year permitted Namibia to trade in ekipas for non-commercial purposes.This means that ekipas can be sold to individual tourists for their own personal use, but cannot be sold in bulk to outside markets.Ekipas are highly respected cultural objects, mainly carved in northern Namibia and in southern Angola.They are in high demand because of their aesthetic quality and cultural value.They can fetch up to US$1 000 a piece and are mainly bought by American and European tourists.