The recent Meme Dingi Namibia competition celebrated the richness of Namibian culture by providing a platform for women over 40 to showcase traditional attire, ancestral skills, and forgotten practices.
The competition, which was held in December, was hosted during the Oshilemba Annual Festival in the Omusati region’s Otamanzi constituency.
The event line-up included top artists in Namibia, such as Dama Monique, Ndawana Ndume and Keitu MK Ozonguvi Za Kaoko.
“Meme Dingi not only put beauty and fashion in the spotlight, but also served as some sort of cultural education to bring Namibians closer to their roots by showcasing forgotten traditions,” event organiser Ndawana Ndume says.
During the competition, participants were to study and rediscover some of the old traditions and practices lost through the influence of Western culture. The practices were showcased in three rounds, categorised as Nowadays Imitation, Odelela and Onguwo.
LOST TRADITIONS
In the first round, participants had to wear modern outfits.
They explained why the younger generation may not like these outfits, saying people should be educated on why certain dress codes are crucial for preserving culture.
“The younger generation often views these garments as old-fashioned, but they carry deep cultural significance,” first runner-up Naemi Sheyaouyuni says.
In the second round, contestants presented traditional attire, made from wild and domestic animal skins.
The final round showcased traditional attire indicating an individual’s social, marital or health status.
Ndume says each piece of traditional clothing carries a narrative.
“These garments are not just for decoration; they are a reflection of who we are.”
TRADITIONAL TASKS
Participants had to prepare for the event several months ahead.
According to the organisers, certain tasks involving washing products, herbs and the extraction of perfume plunged contestants deep into tradition.
They had to find natural remedies and products their ancestors used for medicinal purposes, cleaning and making clothes smell good.
For example, washing powders used to be made from certain tree roots and leaves, and perfumes were made from indigenous plants.
“We have lost contact with them, but they were part of our forefathers’ everyday life,” second runner-up Tresia Hipepaali says.
“I discovered that most of those old remedies work even better than their modern equivalents,” she says.
Other tasks included food, fire and the presentation of utensils.
In this round, contestants prepared traditional meals using firewood, stone tools and local ingredients, such as marula oil instead of cooking oil.
Sheyaouyuni says: “Cooking with firewood takes longer, but the flavours are richer. It’s a reminder of how resourceful and in tune with nature our ancestors were.”
During the last task contestants had to show how plant, animal and mineral products were processed to make traditional outfits.
The outfits were more than functional; they were one of the major ways in which individuals could identify themselves and relay social information.
“Cultural attire tells us who a person is,” Hipepaali says.
“It is not only about aesthetics; it tells a story of heritage, status and much more.”
CHALLENGES
Some contestants faced logistical challenges to find appropriate materials for the prescribed tasks.
“I had to go to Angola to get materials for the traditional necklaces made from stones found along the Benguela River,” Hipepaali says.
But despite all challenges, she says she is glad she participated, as she managed to sell some of her handmade products at the competition.
“This was a chance to reconnect with my roots and share my culture with others,” she says.
Sheyaouyuni says producing washing powder from indigenous plants was an eye-opener.
“I prepared a fine powder from the roots of the oombe tree and found that it worked better as a detergent than some available detergents on the market when applied,” she says.
Her product became an instant hit, and a foreign buyer bought it “for a decent price”.
“This experience gave me new appreciation of our traditional knowledge,” she says.
CULTURAL EDUCATION
Competition winner Laina Mwetupunga says: “People have forgotten their roots, and it has culminated in social ills such as gender-based violence and mental illness.
“By reconnecting with our culture, we can reduce conflict and build a better, more respectful society.
“If every child could spend their first 10 years steeped in our culture and traditions, the impact would be transformative.”
Many participants believe preserving culture would lead to a more harmonious society.
“This is not a beauty competition, but about healing and building a future where our values will be respected,” Mwetupunga says.
LOOKING AHEAD
Meme Dingi Namibia is set to run annually, the organisers say.
The winners will lead sensitisation campaigns on the importance of conserving cultural practices.
“It is important that we actively preserve and promote our culture, not just for ourselves, but for the next generation,” Ndume says.
“The competition is a powerful tool for teaching young people the value of their heritage. This is just the beginning,” he says.
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