23 Sep 2018

Multitudes of Basubiya from the Chobe region and Namibia thronged Kavimba village to celebrate the 12^th edition of their cultural festival.

The Basubiya from Chobe District annually hosts the cultural festival with the purpose of preserving, showcasing and promoting their unique rich culture.

The event has been running since 2006 and it features song, dance, history telling, demonstration of the tribe’s lifestyle and comedy. This year’s event was themed: Chizo Cheetu Havusu, translated as ‘our culture first’ and it attracted the royals from Namibia and senior officials locally.

Leading the act was Chaakonchaa Seperu group, which showcased their unique dance wearing their stylish attire while the local and popular DJ, La Timmy spiced the event with contemporary music.

Officiating at the event, Acting President, Slumber Tsogwane appreciated that the event had grown in leaps and bounds as it had attracted different dignitaries both locally and internationally.

He said it was a sign that the organisers were committed to preserving and promoting culture, adding that the organisers held the event out of concern that their culture was dying hence the need to preserve it for future generation.

The festival was organised by Cisiya-Nkulu Trust in collaboration with the cultural groups and other important stakeholders.

Tsogwane also appreciated efforts by the trust to acquire a piece of land at Kavimba, which they intended to make the hub of Basubiya cultural preservation, something he said demonstrated their intention to put prioritise their culture.

In addition, he appreciated that the trust also published orthography and made a commendable effort to involve young people in their activities.

“All these are practical steps in mainstreaming your culture. I urge you to trace other Basubiya across the country to come on board. Thewealth of a country is its nation while the wealth of a tribe is its tradition,” he added.

Tsogwane also advised the trust to take advantage of the tourism attractions in their area and venture into cultural tourism to generate more income for the festival. 

He said they could establish partnerships with the local tourist enterprises.

The trust, he said, could provide entertainment to guests in local hotels and sell their artefacts as well as invite tourists to story nights, where they would learn the Basubiya culture. 

The trust was also informed that some researchers had the interest to conduct research on the community livelihoods and were advised to take advantage of such and make money.

The acting president said government continued to lend support to all cultural activities adding that their belief was that cultural tourism could significantly grow the economy and create employment.

An elderly, Johnson Mabuta shared a brief history of Basubiya and their chieftainship tree.

He said originally they were called Veekuhane tribe, adding that together with Bayei and Hambkushu they originate from Central Africa. 

He said they resided in Chobe in the early 1900, adding that some of Basubiya were also found on some parts of the country such as Ngamiland and Boteti regions.

Frank Limbo read Basubiya kgosi’s message, which appreciated the support from the government to ensure a successful event. 

Kgosi also requested government to donate a buffalo to the communities in each village in the region during the Independence celebration to appreciate their efforts in conserving wildlife.

Area MP, Machana Shamukuni, who is also Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration appreciated that government had come on board to assist the trust financially.

He assured the Vice President that they would make efforts to trace all Basubiya in the country and ensure they unite and celebrate together. ENDS