Namibia Internet Gateway


	Hello unlogged user	LINK1 · LINK2 · LINK3 · LINK4 · LINK5

gTLD

.com
.net
.org
.biz
.info
.us
.in
.cn
.eu
.cc
.ws
.mobi

.ki
.biz.ki
.org.ki
.com.ki
.phone.ki
.info.ki
.tel.ki
.mobi.ki
.net.ki

Mauritius

.mu

Namibia

.na
.com.na
.org.na
.net.na
.co.na
.alt.na
.edu.na
.in.na
.ws.na
.mobi.na
.tv.na

Norfolk Island

.nf

South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands

.gs

Timor-Leste

.tl

Namibian Towns

Languages

Preferred language:

Okakarara

(347 total words in this text)
(1055 Reads)

Okakarara lies a few kilometres south-east of the Waterberg Park on the C22. Once this area was the homeland "Hereroland". Today one can still observe the traditional way of life for the Herero. In the centre of each settlement in Hereroland lies the cattle kraal, an area fenced off with long wooden sticks to protect the herds from nocturnal predators. The Hereros have been herders for hundreds of years. Their lives revolve around their herds of cattle as they form the basis of their economy and are an important status symbol. "Without cattle a man is nothing", they say. Many of the animals are believed to be holy and can only be slaughtered for sacrificial purposes while others may only be killed on special occasions, e.g. when the owner of the herd dies. The ancestral cult still plays an important role in the lives of many Herero people. In the evenings, they often sit in front of the 'Okuruo'; the holy fire, which may never be allowed to burn out. The chief establishes contact with the ancestors and in a loud self-talk, asks for advice and help or confesses mistakes and sins. The pasture lands are poor in Hereroland due to the high number of cattle and a low rainfall; the area is hopelessly overgrazed. The sour milk called 'Omaere' forms the basis of the Herero's diet. It is stored in big calebashes and every evening, fresh milk is added. In the mornings the chief first tries it and then women and children may drink from it. The ancestral cult still plays an important role in the lives of many Herero people. In the evenings, they often sit in front of the 'Okuruo'; the holy fire, which may never be allowed to burn out. The chief establishes contact with the ancestors and in a loud self-talk, asks for advice and help or confesses mistakes and sins. The pasture lands are poor in Hereroland due to the high number of cattle and a low rainfall; the area is hopelessly overgrazed.

[ Back to Namibian Towns | Sections index ]

News Categories

Main Menu

Online

There are 3 unlogged users and 0 registered users online.

You can log-in or register for a user account here.

Ads