Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (front) speaks during the 16th annual Omagongo Festival at Onamega Village, Omusati region, Namibia, on 23 May. Namibia on 23 May celebrated the 16th annual Omagongo Festival at Onamega village under the Uukwambi Traditional Authority in the country's northern Omusati Region, highlighting the enduring role of culture in fostering unity, identity and social cohesion.(XINHUA) 

Namibia on 23 May celebrated the 16th annual Omagongo Festival at Onamega village under the Uukwambi Traditional Authority in the country's northern Omusati Region, highlighting the enduring role of culture in fostering unity, identity and social cohesion.

Omagongo is closely associated with the marula tree, whose fruit ripens during the rainy season in northern Namibia.

Traditionally, women collect the fruit, extract its juice and ferment it into omagongo, a seasonal beverage shared among families and communities. Over time, the drink has become not only a symbol of harvest and hospitality but also the centerpiece of a wider cultural celebration that brings together traditional leaders, communities and visitors.

The Omagongo Festival featured a procession of marula products, traditional music and dance, local cuisine and cultural performances.

In her keynote address at the event, Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the festival remains an important platform for preserving cultural heritage and strengthening national unity.

"As we celebrate Omagongo today, we also celebrate the pride of being Namibian and the beauty of our cultural diversity. Culture forms the foundation upon which communities build identity, dignity, values and social cohesion," she said.

The Omagongo Festival, whose hosting rotates among the eight Aawambo traditional authorities in northern Namibia, was inscribed in 2015 on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity under the name Oshituthi shomagongo, marula fruit festival.

"This accolade reinforces its significance as a cultural treasure. We must protect, preserve and sustain Omagongo for future generations," Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

This year's celebration also paid tribute to women, who play a central role in collecting and processing marula fruit and in keeping the associated knowledge and practices alive across generations.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said the festival is not only a celebration of tradition but also a space for communities to reflect on shared responsibilities and confront social challenges.