Field trip to Nama Cultural Festival, Pella, Northern Cape

September 28, 2024

Time to read: 2 minutes

September 28, 2024

Dr. Sharon Gabie and Mr. Boetles Gewers travelled to Pella, Northern Cape to attend the South African iteration of the annual Nama Cultural Festival. The festival, colloquially called “Nama Fest”, features vendors of traditional Nama crafts such as leather shoes, quilted clothing, and beadwork; vendors of Nama cuisine; performances by Nama musicians, dancers, storytellers, and comedians; and communal dances. Boetles surprised festival goers with an impromptu performance of Riemvasmaaker music.

Read more about Nama Fest on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Annual-Nama-Cultural-Festival-Namibia-100063595955931/

Image of a promotional flyer for the Nama Cultural Festival. — Photo of a flyer advertising the Nama Cultural Festival in Pella, NC.

Image of an outdoor dance performance. There is a large crowd in the background of 100 or more people. — Screengrab from a video recording of Nama step line dance performed at the festival’s opening ceremony.

Image of Mr. Boetles Gewers performing on a stage. — Screengrab from a video recording of Mr. Boetles Gewers’s performance on the main stage.

Image of a social dance outdoors at night, zoomed in on 2 performers in vibrant clothing. — Screengrab from a video recording of langarm social dancing in the evening.

Image of a home in Pella, taken from the courtyard outside of the house. — View from the courtyard of a home in Pella, NC.