Totem Expo integrates culture and business

Urban and Rural Development Minister Sophia Shaningwa has urged Namibians to embrace culture because it is the common identity they have as Namibians and as Africans. Speaking at the official opening of the Oshakati Totem Expo 2015 on Saturday, Shaningwa said culture is the common identity of all Namibians. “Identity is not just about a name, but is also about knowing who we are, where we come from and how we associate ourselves with others. Our African identity is directly connected to our cultural norms and values. Therefore, this event should be used as a platform to create a much-needed understanding of African identity through totems. I thus call on the youth to safeguard our culture by fully supporting this event,” she said. She said that during her tenure as governor of Omusati Region she had been supportive of Totem Expo and felt honoured to be the keynote speaker at the fourth edition of the annual event. She said the Totem Expo integrates culture and business in a unique way. She further said that the theme for this year’s event – ‘Strengthening Ties Through Culture’ – revealed a clear intention by the organisers to build a united nation where people no longer see each other with tribal perspectives but rather on the similarities of totems, creating a wider unity base while narrowing ethnic differences. Since the hosting of the first Oshakati Totem Expo in 2012, public interest in totems has increased, with totem events hosted at many places including churches. Shaningwa described that as “a good harvest” from the Totem Expo. She implored Namibians to make use of the opportunity presented by the Expo to discover their totems and get information from the elders. “I call upon scholars to direct their studies on totems, with a view to expand an understanding of this concept. This should be complemented by the use of technological instruments available with cultural contents. “We need to scientifically research, document, preserve and pass on knowledge on totems, culture and national identity. Equally, as elders, we must orient the young generation through the totems so that our cultural heritage is passed on to the next generation,” she said. Speaking at the same event Oshakati Mayor Onesmus Shilunga said one of the key objectives of the Totem Expo is to promote national unity within diversity. Fisheries Deputy Minister Chief Ankama, who was the founding Mayor of Oshakati, spoke about the background of the event. The Totem Expo emerged from a humble beginning in 2012 with fewer than 3 000 visitors and about 70 local exhibitors. Other regions such as Oshikoto, Zambezi and Kunene were included last year and the number of visitors rose to 60 000. Nine regions are present at this year’s event and the number of exhibitors has increased to 150. Organisers are predicting a record number of at least 120 000 visitors this year. OSHAKATI PLACIDO HILUKILWA