Marula festival at Onesi

THE Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority hosted a marula festival at Onesi in the Omusati Region on Saturday.

Many dignitaries attended the festival, including former President Sam Nujoma and several Cabinet Ministers. Nujoma is the patron of the marula festival, which was established to unite traditional authorities and promote traditional values and customs.The festival is marked by cultural performances and feasting on traditional delicacies and marula juice.In a speech read on his behalf by Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Ngarikutuke Tjirjange, President Hifikepunye Pohamba called upon traditional leaders and elders to teach the youth about the importance of traditional norms and values so that Namibians can reclaim their pride and their history.The first marula festival was held at the palace of King Jafet Mukundi of the Ongandjera tribe at Uukwandongo village in the Omusati Region in 2001.In subsequent years, the Ondonga, Uukwambi, Uukwaluudhi and Ombalantu traditional authorities hosted the event.The Oukwanyama Traditional Authority was to host the festival last year, but it was cancelled because of the death of King Kornelius Shelungu at the end of 2005 and the installation of Queen Martha Nelumbu shortly afterwards.Next year the festival will be held either in the Oukwanyama or Okalongo tribal area.Nujoma is the patron of the marula festival, which was established to unite traditional authorities and promote traditional values and customs.The festival is marked by cultural performances and feasting on traditional delicacies and marula juice.In a speech read on his behalf by Minister of Veterans’ Affairs Ngarikutuke Tjirjange, President Hifikepunye Pohamba called upon traditional leaders and elders to teach the youth about the importance of traditional norms and values so that Namibians can reclaim their pride and their history.The first marula festival was held at the palace of King Jafet Mukundi of the Ongandjera tribe at Uukwandongo village in the Omusati Region in 2001.In subsequent years, the Ondonga, Uukwambi, Uukwaluudhi and Ombalantu traditional authorities hosted the event.The Oukwanyama Traditional Authority was to host the festival last year, but it was cancelled because of the death of King Kornelius Shelungu at the end of 2005 and the installation of Queen Martha Nelumbu shortly afterwards.Next year the festival will be held either in the Oukwanyama or Okalongo tribal area.