A 19-year-old girl from Gabriel Taapopi Secondary School in Ongwediva marveled people with her skill in traditional chanting.
A genre that normally is associated with men, traditional chanting (okwiitanga), is mostly to be found only in the rural areas where cattle herders are common.
But Sonia Hainyeko was the main act at the Heritage Week event held on 19 September in Oshakati.
Sonia chanted while moving about energetically, entertaining guests and onlookers who included Oshana Governor Hofni Ipinge.
Even people in the streets had to stop and look at the young woman chanting and stating who she was and where she came from.
The Namibian Heritage Week, celebrated from 15 to 21 September, had the theme of “Bahindi Belambilye Chizo Chetu” which is in the Lozi language, and translates as “Torchbearers of our Heritage”.
In Oshana it was celebrated at the Arts and Culture Offices in Oshakati, where events included the chanting competition which was won by Sonia, and the main event attended by the Governor, where she performed her rare skill.
In the photo: Young traditional chanter Sonia Hainyeko.
