Ondonga initiation to ‘curb homosexuality’

Preventing them from “becoming gay” and preparing them for future leadership positions were cited among the reasons the Ondonga Traditional Authority initiated 150 boys and men at the Etosha salt pan last weekend.

Overall, the exercise was held to help revive culture and improve social conduct among Ondonga’s male population, organisers said.

The initiation process, which was led by chairperson of the Ondonga traditional council John Walenga, started on Friday and ended on Sunday, and saw participants received by Ondonga King Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo at the palace afterwards.

Walenga said the initiation was a success and it was pleasing to see people going back to what the ancestors would do to initiate a boy into manhood. He added that they were overwhelmed by the turnout.

“The idea is uushenge, or homosexuality, for it not take root,” he said.

“We want the boys to be informed what it means to be a man. This is what our ancestors used to do. We are hoping they are watching us and their children, [seeing] that we are taking them through a process like this one. We are excited,” he said.

Two-year course

The youngest of the participants was nine, while the eldest were in their 70s, Ileni Nandjato, the king’s assistant on information, said.

The decision to revive the tradition was brought about by social ills and a lack of acumen in leadership positions.

“We have seen that many people taking up leadership [positions] have not gone through initiation, [and] some of them are not doing things the right way,” he said.

The event was supported by the environment ministry, which provided game meat and also allocated game rangers to guard the participants.

According to Nandjato, the initiation is a two-year course and those who participated this year will not go the salt pan next year, but will attend a meeting by elders and traditional leaders as a way to pass what they’ve been taught on to others.

Radio announcements were made to invite participants and inform parents who wished to have their children go through the process.

Nandjato said the overwhelming response is an indication that people are willing to preserve culture as per the ancestral norms and values.

He added that in the past, the initiation would also include circumcision, but said the traditional council will not be engaging in this and has left it to the health ministry.

The participants were from various traditional authorities, including Uukwambi, Ongadjera and Oukwanyama, he said.

Salt of the earth

Upon arrival, participants set up their camping site about five kilometres from the salt pan.

“The participants prepared their own food and they were not given salt to add to it. They ate meat without salt. This is to signify the importance of salt and for them to appreciate the process of collecting it the next day,” Nandjato said.

On Saturday, the boys and men woke up as early as 03:00 and started walking to the salt pan - barefoot.

There, they were briefed by Walenga about the value of a man and the importance of initiation.

“He also created awareness on the current issues happening such as gender-based violence, transgender topics and general social behaviour. He told them to respond to social ills as men and that true men are not violent and that they do not raise their hands to a woman,” Nandjato narrated.

‘King’s men’

After completing the two-year initiation, the participants will be referred to as ‘king’s men’, who Nangolo can call on in times of need.

“At the Ondonga Traditional Authority, they become the king’s men and whenever there is a call that the king wants men, we are looking at them to come to the rescue. People should look up to them; [they should] exhibit good behaviour,” Nandjato said.

He added that some of the participants were tired and didn’t manage to carry their salt back from the pan, but they were forced to make the trek back to the campsite, while their bags of salt were transported by car.