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Olufuko (Traditional Wedding)[edit]

Olufuko which means wedding in Oshiwambo, is a traditional wedding which turns young girls and women into brides without men. It is a seven day ceremony which prepare girls for womanhood and marriage.[1] This traditional wedding is practice amongst the Uukwaluudhi, Ombalantu, Uukwambi, Ombandja, Okakongo and Ungandjera tribes. They all come together to practice the Olufuko at the town of Outapi which is the Capital of Omusati region.

Introduction[edit]

When a girl starts with her first menstruation that is when the parents see that the girl is are ready for womanhood and marriage. [2] The mother is responsible for telling her daughter about olufuko and according to tradition, the girl cannot reject it because is a religions believe that it is gonna bring a curse upon the girl. Whoever that reject olufuko might face a misfortune of losing a parent or falling victim to unwanted pregnancy as the result of the curse.


The Seven day Process[edit]

The first day is called Ekoh, this is whereby the mother of the girl prepare the fireplace were the food of the bride-to-be is prepared. The elders then dress the bride in beautiful traditional handmade skirts and jewellery. The braid hair are braided with long braids so that she appear to be beautiful in the eyes of the men that suits her. Its is then followed by Omakunde and Okambandja, on this days the parents slaughters a cattle for their daughter to celebrate her growing into an adult.

The fourth day is called Efundula (Wedding day) this is the main day on which the girls are officially brides. Only then can single man show interest either by placing a bracelet on her wrist or a ring on the figure of women of their choice. The women has the right to reject the proposal by removing any jewellery that was place on her, by removing the jewellery it shows that the women is not interested. If the girl keeps the jewellery of the suitor, then the man is traditionally required to go to her parents house after the ceremony to ask her hand in marriage formally. The bride is expected to do physical labor like pound Mahangu to prove that she is not pregnant.

The Firth day is called Epitoletanda which is also known as the initial day,on this day the bride walk around the homestead half naked. They do not sleep at the homestead but at a hurt build for them called Ondjowo. Its a believe that pregnant girls or those that did an abortion can never go through the ritauls, due to the strong supernatural powers of the ancestor. If a girl is pregnant she is then eliminated, because it is part and parcel of the process to make sure that the bride is not pregnant, pregnancy testing is also part of olufuko. On the last day the bodies of the girls are cleanse by rubbing them with butter mixed with traditional red dye. On this day the brides remove everything and braid their hair backwoods to show maturity and that they are now adults. [3]


Criticisms of Olufuko[edit]

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN) and Most christian churches are against olufuko saying that it is discriminating and violating the girls right, it is unholy. Such practice is immoral and is a sin to allow a girl to get pregnant before marriage. Namibian right[4] argue that olufuko will contribute to the spread of HIV/AIDS , unwanted teenage pregnancies since now that the girls have went through a traditional wedding its not a taboo for the girl to get pregnant regardless the age this can also lead to school drop outs. It violates the girls right since they are forced into wedding because of the curse that is said to put on them if they reject .[5]


[1][2] [3] [4]

reference[edit]

  1. ^ Merjia, IIleka (05 october 2013). "understanding 'morden day' Olufuko". The sun. Retrieved 23 August 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Helvy, Shaanika (05 october 2012). "Namibia: Olufuko festival ends on positive note". New era. Retrieved 28 August 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Uazuva, Kaumbi (05 October 2012). "Olufuko - What is the fuss about?". WINDHOEK OBSERVER. Retrieved 10 August 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Helvy, Shaanika (05 October 2012). "Olufuko festival attracts thousands". New Era. Retrieved 24 August 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)