KEETMANSHOOP – The Orlams community of Vaalgras seems to have buried the hatchet that at one point threatened to polarise the clan.
This emerged after a meeting held at Vaalgras last weekend to discuss preparations for the upcoming cultural festival, which was at the heart of the dispute. It now seems that the traditional leaders have decided to rekindle the spark that used to be associated with the festival, which also serves to honour former leaders of the community.Most inhabitants of Vaalgras felt that the festival had become boring over the years, while others were concerned that some deceased Chiefs were being glorified at the expense of others.The latter charge from a group directly related to former Chief of the Orlams Jan Apollus caused division among the community.Preparations for the 2006 festival are in full swing and various fundraising drives are being organised to make this year’s event a memorable one.The Orlams are descendants of the Herero people and live in the Vaalgras reserve, some 60 kilometres northeast of Keetmanshoop.- NampaIt now seems that the traditional leaders have decided to rekindle the spark that used to be associated with the festival, which also serves to honour former leaders of the community.Most inhabitants of Vaalgras felt that the festival had become boring over the years, while others were concerned that some deceased Chiefs were being glorified at the expense of others.The latter charge from a group directly related to former Chief of the Orlams Jan Apollus caused division among the community.Preparations for the 2006 festival are in full swing and various fundraising drives are being organised to make this year’s event a memorable one.The Orlams are descendants of the Herero people and live in the Vaalgras reserve, some 60 kilometres northeast of Keetmanshoop.- Nampa
