Namibian Adventure

The popular festivals in Namibia are marked by their two large deserts, the Kalahari and the Namib, as well as by the religious festivals. Although this is a Catholic country, Namibia also celebrates traditional events with ancestral origins.

Of all the popular festivals in Namibia, the Oshituthi Shomagongo celebration is one of the most representative in the country. This festival takes place during the harvest of the marula fruit which is used to make omagongo, a traditional drink from the north of the country.

But in addition to this festival, Namibians have a rather extensive calendar of events. Let’s look at this month by month and see what you will find during your trip.

January

As it is a Catholic country, Namibia celebrates the New Year on the 1st of January, as well as the Day of the Kings on the 6th of January. As these months coincide with the summer, popular festivals in Namibia during this time are full of outdoor celebrations.

Music, dance and songs are the highlights of this epic, and families congregate around traditional food and drinks. There are also gifts for the little ones and big celebrations in all the villages.

February and March

One of the most celebrated popular festivals throughout the country of Namibia is Independence Day. This day is celebrated on the 21st of March, and is celebrated with numerous banquets and festivals throughout the country. It is a day to remember that it is a democracy and that they are no longer under the yoke of German colonisation.

Namibia was colonised by Germany from 1904 to 1907, during which period a serious genocide took place against the Nam and Herero tribes. These populations are asking their government to seek compensation from Germany for these deeds. Nonetheless, despite the past suffering, Namibians celebrate their independence with great joy.

April

Between the end of March and beginning of April, one of Namibia’s festivals with the greatest connection to nature takes place: the Oshituthi Shomagongo. This celebration is recognised as an Intangible Cultural Heritage and is celebrated int eh north of the country.

A total of eight communities gather to harvest and make the omagongo. During the festival, the men carve cups from wood and gourds from which to drink the beverage. The women make clay pots and weave baskets in which to harvest the fruit. During two or three days, participants celebrated the existence of the fruit in a relaxed environment.

Also at the end of April, Namibians celebrate the Windhoek Carnival which takes place for a whole week. This event has a great deal of social relevance in Namibia and its celebration is of Germanic origin. In fact, this carnival is very reminiscent of the German Oktoberfest.

May

In May two festivals with historical-political origins take place in Namibia. On the 4thof May there is the Commemoration of the Battle of Cassinga, an event which remembers the killing of over 600 Namibian refugees by the South African Armed Forces.

The 25th of May celebrates the Day of African Unity, which is also a festival for the whole continent, and not just Namibia.

June and July

During June and July, popular Namibian festivals take place which are linked to the inhabitants and tribes scattered throughout the country. The Bosquimanos from north of the Kalahari Desert, the Nama, the Damara, the Himba, and the Ovambo. All attempt to keep their traditions and ancestral legacies alive through dance, songs and tribal festivals.

August

In August, some of the most colourful Namibian festivals take place on Hereros Day. This large ethnic group celebrates its commemorative festival in Okahandja around the 26th of August. The festivities are marked by many parades of warriors that commemorate the battles against the Germans and the Khoi-khoi tribe.

September and October

At the end of September the Harvest Festival is celebrated in many parts of the country. This celebration is strongly linked to the customs of the original native inhabitants of Namibia. At the other extreme, in October the Oktoberfest is celebrated, which is a clear influence remaining from German colonial times.

November and December

Although there are no large festivals in the country during November, the Oranjemund Diamond Festival takes place during this month. This festival is celebrated from the end of November to early December and has the objective of promoting the city of Oranjemund as a tourism destination for investors.

Apart from the above, Namibia also celebrates Christmas and the birth of Jesus. Families gather together around the dinner table for Christmas Eve dinner, and believers attend mass.

If you can make your trip coincide with one of these outstanding popular Namibian festivals, you will not only behold the beauty of the country’s landscapes but also its culture.

You probably can’t think of what to eat in Namibia, well, what will surprise you the most is a large amount of international variety, mostly from German and English cooking.  Its colonial past leaves a mark on Namibian gastronomy, so if you want to try the true Namibian cuisine, you will have to look for the right restaurants.

The gastronomy of Namibia is mostly based on meat, indeed, an almost infinite variety of meats.  In Namibia, they make numerous dishes with ostrich, antelope, zebra, giraffe, oryx, kudu, lamb and beef.

The way of cooking the meat is generally to grill it, and then to dress it with rich and tasty sauces.  You will also find famous British Fish & Chips and German sausages throughout the country.

But, taking away the European influence, we are going to find out what the more traditional typical dishes to eat in Namibia are.

Mahangu soup

This soup is one of the typical dishes of Namibia which is made with fish, goat meat or lamb and rice.  The ingredients are mixed in an iron pot, mahangu or millet is its main ingredient. This cereal is the basic food of the Ovambo people.

Mieliepap

They also make mielie, or corn flour, soups with the same ingredients as the previous one, accompanied with peppers and onions, vegetables which form part of the basic diet of the Namibian people.

Potjiekos

To make this typical dish of Namibia, a small iron pot is used, called a potjie. This pot has three feet, it is placed on fire outside and the ingredients are placed in it, which is mainly game meat.

To make this dish, venison and poultry are used, along with carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, pumpkin, and potato starch.  Fresh herbs and spices are added to give it a unique flavor.

Meat skewers

Meat skewers are another of the typical dishes to eat in Namibia, and you will find them almost anywhere.  To make this dish, Namibian chefs use ostrich or crocodile meat, or both.  They add stock, lemon, red chili, peanut butter, cashew nuts, coconut milk, salt, and pepper.

Bullfrog

This is perhaps one of the most exotic dishes from Namibian gastronomy.  The bullfrog is eaten in the north of the country, where its inhabitants cook it covering the saucepans with dry Omuhongo wood.  This is essential to prevent poisoning, so it is only worth trying if it has been cooked in the traditional way.

Hake fillets

Fish is another of the highlights of Namibian cooking, the quality of the hake is excellent.  You can find many recipes, but hake fillets in cuttlefish sauce are the best.  To make it, they use hake, clams, cuttlefish, carrots, onion, and salt.

Oysters and green asparagus from Swakopmund

Oysters are the highlight of this part of the country, and without a doubt, they are something to try during your trip to Namibia.  Their quality is superior, and the preparation varies depending on the restaurant you go to.  It is a highly valued dish by tourists as well as Namibians themselves, so you must try them.

Also in Swakopmund, you will be able to try another of its specialties: green asparagus.  Soft and meaty asparagus that is nothing like the asparagus you’ve tried before.

Lobster from Luderitz

If you visit Luderitz, the typical dish of Namibian gastronomy to eat here is lobster.  Exquisite and huge lobsters are cooked in the best way in any restaurant in this African town.

Namibian olives

Namibia also produces olives, in fact, its kalamata variety produces a crop of very good black olives.  There is also a variety of green olives that you will have no problem finding in the numerous hotels and tourist lodges.

As well as the dishes of game and fish, and traditional soups, Namibia also offers you desserts and drinks, although in this case, of a clear German influence.

Typical German dishes in Namibia

The famous Landjäger smoked sausage or dried spicy sausages are another of the typical dishes to eat in Namibia, as strange as it might seem.  You will also find typical German salted bread rolls, filled with cheese, meat or eggs. Sauerkraut is another of the German dishes you will be able to try in Namibia if you haven’t already tried it.

In terms of desserts, all of the restaurants in the country have Apple strudel or typical German apple cake, as well as the famous Black forest gateaux.

To accompany each dish, don’t hesitate to ask for a Windhoek Lager, the national beer, clearly of German origin.  That was our guide to the flavors of Namibia, a country that lives with its colonial past and its more traditional customs.

We are going to recommend what to buy in Namibia during your trip to this Southwest African country.  Its crafts are varied and colorful, so you are sure to take more than one souvenir home as a gift.

Before talking about the typical products to buy in Namibia, you should know that the crafts are very varied.  You will find fabrics, wooden objects, bowls, masks, dolls, and even typical food products of the country.

The souvenirs of Namibia are very original, so you won’t be able to resist buying more than one thing in their markets.  Talking of markets, one of the best for shopping is the one in Swakopmund, also known for its German colonial architecture.

Crafts in Namibia

When it comes to buying souvenirs in the markets of Namibia, you have to bear in mind that bargaining is almost obligatory.  The initial price of the products is never what you should pay, so, if you negotiate with the artisan, you are sure to reach an agreement that benefits you both.

Wooden masks

We’ve all seen African wooden masks, many of them represent warriors or animals.  These masks, although they now sell them as souvenirs for tourists, have a religious meaning.  Most of them represent protective spirits, or also powerful animals.  Find out from the artisan about the meaning of the mask, so that it isn't just a decorative object.

Wooden bowls

It is quite common amongst the typical products of Namibia to find stalls full of wooden bowls. These bowls are handcrafted in different sizes and colors.  There are simple ones, colored ones, and those with fine geometric drawings and they are perfect to use in the kitchen.

Wooden figures

Throughout Africa, there is an abundance of wooden figures of animals, especially elephants, but also of native Africans.  Normally, the figures represent warriors with their spears, or mothers with their babies.  They form part of the culture and traditions of the villages of the area, and for that reason, they are a perfect reminder of your trip to the country.

Fabrics

Another of the typical products to buy in Namibia are its multicolored fabrics. They use them to make clothing, but there are also quilts, tablecloths, and tapestries that you can take home as gifts.  The quality of these fabrics and the natural dyes gives them great value, which is why, more than a souvenir, they are an example of the traditional art of the region.

Bottle top magnets

Although magnets are the typical souvenirs we often take home as a reminder of our trip, the magnets form Namibia are different since they are made from old bottle tops.  Of course, they are hand painted with beautiful animal figures and bright colors.  They are one of the most original gifts that you will find to take home.

Wooden and rag dolls

If you really want something to buy in Namibia that enables you to take the essence of the country home with you, the dolls made by the tribes are the best choice.  There are ones made from wood, decorated with small beads of seeds, and also rag dolls, with traditional clothing.  The good thing about these souvenirs is that they are good for children as well as for the most sophisticated collectors.

Products made with macalani seeds

Namibian artisans use macalani seeds (a species of native palm tree) to make different objects.  The result is very pretty small carved spheres which are decorated by hand, that can take the form of keyrings, bracelets or necklaces.  They are undoubtedly the most practical and cheapest gifts you will find anywhere in Namibia.

Musical instruments

But if you really want to make a difference, musical instruments are the best option amongst the things to buy in Namibia. You can choose between drums, flutes, string instruments, rattles, and marimbas.  The marimbas are perhaps only for music lovers since it is a percussion instrument similar to the xylophone, of considerable dimensions.

Dry meat

Biltong is a dry meat whose flavor is similar to jerky, the uniqueness of this souvenir from Namibia is that it is made of various types of meat.  During its preparation, beef, ostrich and antelope meat is used.  It is bought by the weight and cut into slices, and they vacuum pack it so that it doesn’t lose its flavor.

Namibian wine

If you are a wine lover, what better thing to take home as a souvenir than a good melon wine or mataku.  This wine is one of the most widely consumed and valued traditional drinks in Namibia.  Another option is walende, for the most daring, it's similar to vodka in flavor and alcohol level. And to surprise the more extravagant, buy a bottle of ontaku as a gift, made of fermented millet.

Here you have a guide to the most typical products to buy in Namibia during your visit.  This country will leave a beautiful trace in your eyes as well as the heart and the palate.