Traditional food and attire

 Born and bred as an African child I was raised to embrace my culture .  We Africans are rich in diversity of food and culture. However times have change but traditional food and attires will always be part of us . 

The Ova Herero ethnic group is well known for their rich heritage in cattle herding cattle and other small livestock such as sheep and goat. They mostly eat meat, porridge  , traditional Herero bread, fat cakes ,omaere' translated as sour milk , and use traditional cooking oil., made from milk through a process similar to coagulation. 

The omaere and milk in a calabash that is applied a red traditional ochre on the calabash and decorate in with leather strips. The calabash  is stored only in the house and never outside . It must be put in an area out of reach of children. 

 The traditional attire of the Ova Herero people was significantly influenced by the  German missionaries during colonial times. The men wear peaked caps, berets, epaulettes and gaiters . This attire was worn by German soldiers at first , so Herero soldiers removed these attires and wore them from the German soldiers that died in the war and make it theirs. Till this day , that attire is worn to honor fallen ancestors and to keep memories alive. This attire is worn also on celebrations of a fallen celebrant or chief. 

Women wear foot-length dresses with a head gear called 'otjikaiva' . The otjikaiva symbolizes their cows horns and their richness in owning cattle. The otjikaiva also shows or pay homage to cows that have historically sustained the Herero and that continue to sustain them everyday. The children wear omutjira made from leather , which mainly covers the genital area. The omutjira is smeared onto a red ochre which is mixed with Vaseline to make it moist. Herero women also apply the ochre to prevent sunburn.   

Courtesy 

google photos 

Culture and Religion

 Our culture , traditions and language are the foundations upon which we build our identity and constantly  remind ourselves of who we are. Some believed that traditions change, but I believe that tradition does not change only culture . Traditions are passed on from one generation to the other while culture is values , customs , beliefs that define or characterize a certain group of people. 

The Ova Herero people have a custom named 'okuruuo' . This is a custom whereby they believe that their ancestors are always there for guidance and protection in all aspects they find themselves.  This is a religious worship that only ceremonial chief priests can invoke during rituals in times of disasters , famine , diseases, death, wedding ceremonies, welcoming a new bride , name giving ceremonies and circumcision-preparation rituals . 

According to a traditional celebrant Dr.  Rirauko described the  the  holy fire as 'omuriro omurangere' ,  which is translated as sacred fire . Holy fire ceremonies involves the use of ash  or water to help cast bad luck or evil spirits and bring about prosperity and good luck. The rising of smoke of the holy fire symbolizes a link between them and their ancestors.  The holy fire needs to burn at sunrise and sunset . 

All in all culture and traditions help us find our origin . Therefore maintaining one's culture ,value and traditions is beyond price. We are Africans and we should not be traumatized by the fact we we colonized , but rather embrace how combating our ancestors fought.  We are Africans  taught to be united and to work hard therefore as an African child  I am fond of my culture and tradition. 

  Courtesy 

Google photos