Chris Jacobie
NAMIBIANS have since the beginning of time distinguished themselves as enduring the worst, that nature or man can throw at them, and always emerging the better for it.
It is uniquely Namibian and internationally recognized and admired.
Namibians of all corners of the land will have the opportunity this weekend to celebrate Omagongo (Marula festival) in the Ondonga kingdom.
It is a collision of tradition, reminder of mutual dependence and the awareness of the challenges that will always come with development.
The Marula Festival is not a cultural event purely meant for communities of the Northern frontier, but the Omagongo tradition or Marula Festival is an opportunity to celebrate heritage that binds the national soul.
The Fourth President, Dr . Nangolo Mbumba, could not have wished for a greater honour than being the personal guest of the His Royal Highness King Phillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo, at the Onambango Royal Palace.
Fate has chosen President Mbumba, as his departed predecessor, Late President Hage Geingob, was also the personal guest of the departed and revered King Elifas in 2016 and attended the festivities from his sick bed that was on a bakkie. Such was the love for his people from a King of the People
It is compelling evidence that the sense of community is the bedrock of a stable and tolerant Namibia where the great conversation prevails under remaining giants of the forests.
Just because political parties hoist their flags in their branches the Omagongo proves that not every tree bears party-political fruit.
Small wonder then that the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) officially listed the Omagongo festival as one of the World’s Intangible National Heritages.
The whole of Namibia should be proud of the recognition of a festival of a people who endured so much for independence and deserve every drop of water and every moment of peace they can receive.
A feast of communal hospitality and the Marula fruit reminds Namibians of the nation’s dependence on its natural resources and the resourcefulness of communities of the main roads to tame an angry and hard country with its unforgiving climate of extremes.
The Omagongo and the enthusiasm of communities who do not know where their next meal or sip of drinkable water might come from, is a reminder to the rest of the country to count blessings and unite behind the plight of every community whose worst suffering might yet to come if the carcasses of dead live-stock, dried-up wells and desolate crop fields are anything to go by.
These communities bear the brunt of the devastating power of nature with self-discipline and bravery beyond what any human should be expected to endure.
This weekend the very same communities will host and share the fruits of their labour with their legendary hospitability and kindness towards friends and strangers alike as they stream through the throat of Namibia from Oshivello to Ndonga and from there further into the hinterland.
City dwellers should take their time and do the kilometres and reach beyond Etosha where pioneers like Gondwana broke down the barriers, honoured King Nehale with a lodge and a landmark Chair to look beyond the horizons.
Namibians are a proud people, sometimes to the point of stubbornness. Food- and drought aid is hard on a proud people and asking is for most Namibians impossible. For that reason alone Namibians must not wait to be asked for help, but offer where they see obvious hardship.
Omagongo, unlike any other national celebration where government usually is expected to assist in organising and financing events, the poor and drought-stricken communities of the North relied on nobody but themselves, to finance the Omagongo festival.
Omagongo should serve as an example and challenge to all Namibians to celebrate with the frontier communities because Namibians are bound by soul and their unity is forged by fire.
