No Damara festival again this year

THE annual Damara Gaob Festival will not take place once again this year, due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The festival usually takes place over the first weekend of November and is attended by thousands of people.

Chairperson of festivals organising committee Elifas //Khoaseb confirmed this to the The Namibian on Wednesday.

“The governments regulations state that many people should not gather together. Once regulations allow more people to gather, we will host the festival,” said //Khoaseb.

Damara Gaob Justus //Garoeb advised that the festival not take place because of Covid-19.

“Its not that Gaob (king) does not want the festival to take place or that the organising committee is against hosting it. We are adhering to the government regulations,” //Khoaseb said.

//Khoaseb said it was not only the Damara Gaob Festival that was affected but festivals of the various sub-clans of the Damara tribe, as well as those of other ethnic groups.

“Us as Damaras were affected by Covid-19,” //Khoaseb said. “We dont want to be accused of organising an event that might increase Covid-19 cases.”

The festival has been held annually since the 1970s. The festivals main aim is unite the different Damara tribes, as well as to showcase their culture and traditions for the benefit of youth people.

“We host this event to remember our kings, queens, chiefs and elders who passed away,” // Khoaseb said.

He called upon the Damara tribe and all Namibians to get vaccinated against Covid-19, and warned all Namibians not to listen to those who discourage them from getting vaccinated.

“Our government will never put us in a harms way. Stand up and get vaccinated. Its for our health and that of the country,” he said.

A few years ago, president Hage Geingob was accused of snubbing the festival, despite the Presidency insisting that Geingob made efforts to attend the event.

Press secretary at the time, Albertus Aochumeb said initially Geingob accepted the invitation and confirmed his attendance however, at the 11th hour it was found out that //Garoeb was not recognised under the relevant laws of the country as a traditional leader.

This irked many members of the Damara tribe, which is made up of more than 34 sub-clans, of which about eight are recognised by the government. //Garoeb is a revered figure among the Damara tribe and has been a Gaob since the 1970s.