The event focuses on accurately showcasing Herero weddings, providing insight into the culturally rich and proud Namibian tribe.
A gala dinner recently opened the fair, slated for September.
The dinner was a prime example as of how proud Hereros are of their culture, as it saw the attendance of some of the big names in Namibia, such as McHenry Veenani, McBright Kavari, Katy Kaune, Rumano Fabrish and Ben Kahahtjipara, who was in charge of the venue”;s decor.
The fair focuses on the traditional practices that take place during a three-day Herero wedding, and their significance.
“My partner and I decided we want to take people back to the original Herero roots and the original way our weddings are practised, because we feel like people are modernising our weddings, which is unnecessary.
“There is a reason why things have been done a certain way, so this festival is to remind people of the right way our weddings as Hereros are to be practised and why it is important,” Kanguatjivi says.
She says the festival”;s other objective is exposure for those involved with Herero weddings, such as make-up artists, tailors, and decor artists.
Kapurua Kuhanga is one of the models who will be acting as a bride at the Otjumukandi Festival.
“It”;s a really proud moment, because I get to showcase the Herero culture – especially from a woman”;s perspective, and I am so glad to represent the Herero community.
“I am a cultural woman, although not as much as I would want to be, and I am working on that, but I am just so happy to be a part of this. I definitely see myself partaking in a real wedding soon,” she says.
A model chosen to be one of the grooms, Ukutura Kejarukua, expresses the same sentiments.
Katy Kaune, a gala dinner guest, at the event said: “The fair is a show of my culture and how diverse it is, and what we are missing as the youth, which our elders can teach us.”
The Otjumukandi Festival will take place on 30 September. – unWrap.online
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