Benefitting country(ies): Namibia

Overview:

To be implemented by the Namibia National Commission for UNESCO, the proposed thirty-six-month project is aimed at safeguarding Okuruuo. The sacred ritual practice of Okuruuo (meaning Holy Fire) is central to the cultural values and social practices of the communities concerned. However, the current situation – including a rapid increase in urbanization – threatens its continuous practice and sustainability. Awareness-raising, capacity-building and training initiatives have been undertaken, but there is a need to expand this exercise to other regions in Omaheke, Otjozondjupa, Erongo and Kunene where the element is currently practised. In this context, the proposed project is aimed at improving the visibility of the element nationally, promoting and safeguarding it, enhancing national inventorying and documentation capacities, and improving and uploading the inventories and documentation of the element. This is to be achieved through awareness-raising, capacity-building, inventorying and documentation exercises. The project is expected to encourage the viability and continuous practice of the element.

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