Aakwambi day

 

Aakwambi day

Through Dr. S.V.V. Nambala and my friend Sioni Ileke, who is knowledgeable about Oshiwambo culture in general and particularly Uukwambi culture, specifically kiiti kiidhiluka, Uukwambi tuukeme, and omukwambi kaningwa elenga, I listen to and study Uukwambi history. One of the clans has always been chosen to be the royal clan among the Aakwambi people. Other clans never competed for political leadership; only this one did. First, the Aatundu (Aakwaluvala, Aakwahongo = Zebra) Clan was a royal clan in Uukwambi. From Ondonga came the royal clan of the Uukwambi Zebra. Three brothers from the Zebra Clan Nakwedhi, Nuuyoma, and Neema migrated from Ondonga to Uukwambi in the past. They discovered the Bushmen in Uukwambi, who were the region's original residents. These men took lovely Bushmen women for themselves because they were not married. Nakano, a girl, was taken by Nakwedhi. Fakala and Mbugulu, two girls, were taken by Nuuyoma for himself. Additionally, Neema wed Niigogo, another girl.

We'll talk about the history of the Uukwambi people next time; for now, let's talk about the triple one plus one, also known as Aakwambi Day or 1111. When my friend Fanuel Katshinatsha, who has a thick Kwambi accent, told me one day that he was going to Uukwambi for the weekend, I asked him, "What are you going to do this time at Uukwambi?" He claimed that he mainly miss the mice in my house. He caught my attention, and I was curious as to what the significance of mice was, as well as, once more, what you intended to do with them, my brother. He claimed that mice are the best meat ever; did you ever try it? I reacted "no boss,". You don't understand nice meat, he said, adding, "We Kwambi are unique people. Did you know that we have our own holiday called Kwambi Day?" I remarked that I am not the boss. My friend, the 11th of November is the National Day in Uukwambi for kwambi people only. Do you know that we have some marks under our eyes that represent the 11th of November, 11? He began by telling me the entire story about Kwambi Day. Compared to other tribes in Namibia, we are unique. The community of Uukwambi places a lot of significance on those marks. If you were a child and fell ill with swollen eyes, you would typically have your undereyes cut so that blood could be used to treat your eyes, a practice known as "omeho/omesho yohuli/yoshuli." I hope you now understand how November 11th becomes our holiday.

Happy Kwambi day

The Himbacracy Philosopher