Namibia commemorates the International Day of The Worlds Indigenous People

Despite the odds, Indigenous people in Namibia have survived as communities with their unique identity and customs tied to their ancestral land, which distinguishes them from other communities or groups.

To appreciate Namibia’s Indigenous diversity, the country celebrated the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples under the theme “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge” in the Omaheke region at the Regale Stadium in Gobabis on the 9th of August 2022.

The occasion was marked with performances from various traditional groups representing the regions they hail from. Ten (10) regions were represented through traditional dance and song, these included the Hai||om from Kunene, Otjozondjupa, Oshikoto, Omusati, and Oshana; !Xun and Ju|’hoansi from Otjozondjupa; ‡Khao-//aesi and !Xoo from Omaheke; Khwe-San from Kavango East and Zambezi; !Xun from Kavango West; Naro from Omaheke; and the Ovatue and Ovatjimba from Kunene Region.

Five hundred people were in attendance of which 156 were participants, cultural groups and the remaining number constituted of people from the locality of Gobabis and nearby farms/settlements/villages to witness the occasion. The day speaks volumes to efforts being made to promote and protect the Human Rights of Indigenous people and to create awareness and advocacy on safeguarding the indigenous cultures, languages, and knowledge systems for sustainable development.

Watch programme here:  https://www.facebook.com/NBCDigitalNews/videos/422947499811196/