October 30 2015
Henrik & Charon
Okarokape
The wedding ceremony
The wedding will take place over a period of three days at Asser & Christine Mbai's farm Okarokape which is a small village approximately 25 km from the town of Okakarara. The journey from Windhoek (The capital) to Okarokape is approximately 4 hours. Henrik and I will be in Namibia two week before the wedding to make the final preparations. We recommend that you arrive at least three days before the wedding to be able to rest, and perhaps go for a few excursions in Windhoek. Ladies, I am thinking spa day at Gocheganas wellness centre. Gentlemen, you are more than welcome to join us at the spa, however Henrik has some go-karting plans in mind :)
We recommend that all geusts arrive on the friday morning 30th October around 10:00am at Okarokape. This will enable you all to set up camp, make yourselves at home and meet all the other geusts before the first ritual starts later on in the afternoon. You will be camping in the back of the house in tents for two days. We will be arranging the tents and camping chairs for you. Food will also be provided throughout your stay. Alii & Claes, Henrik's parents have agreed to organise meal plans for the geusts at the back of the house.
The wedding ceremony is comprised of different rituals which make up the the whole wedding. Please note that the programme we have enclosed is a rough guide of what is to happen at our wedding. Charon's father and the elder's will finalise a programe of which you will all be informed in due time. The ceremony ends on Sunday around midday. We will all have breakfast together before we depart for the mini tour around Namibia. Please reffer to the 'Road Trip' page for more information.
Otjiherero Wedding Rituals:
Set-Up:
The groom and his family camps behind the bride’s family homestead.
The bride stays in the main-house (hut) at the homestead, and only honorary relatives are allowed to pay her a visit.
Day 1: Friday/Oritjatano
1. 14:00 – 15:00 Ongombe okuhita also referred to as Lobola
The two cows are released into the corral.
Cash is paid which is in the range of N$10 000 – N$25 000. (Handled by Fathers & Uncles)
The crowd(mostly women) approves or disapprove the two cows based on beauty, mass etc.
2. Greetings: The groom’s family formally greets the bride’s family.
3. 17:00 – 18:00 Outjina
Traditional dance to celebrate, honor & praise the bridal price (cash & cows).
4. 20:00 - 21:00 Husband Return to the bride’s hut, take off his shoes & hat and sleep with clothes. He quietly leaves the bridal hut early morning hours say at 05:00 am & return to his campsite.
Day 2: Saturday/Oroviungura
1. 09:00 – 10:00 The groom & his mates returns to the bride’s family to perform a traditional ritual. Part of that is identifying a cow to be slaughtered. They then return to their camping side.
2. The identified cows are slaughtered and some part called “EVANGO” is removed from the co meat & taken to the Groom’s family.
3. The Groom side equally slaughters their cows and also brings their “EVANGO” the bride’s family.
4. Then another part referred to as “Orupati” is prepared & taken to the groom’s side. The groom eats part of the “Orupati” and half of this is returned to the bride, & the bride eats the reminder of the meat.This is a symbol of the COUPLE becoming one.
5. Outjina: The traditional dance is performed to celebrate the union. Celebrations carries on till late evening. Involves lots of meat & drinks, music and dancing.
Day 3: Sunday/Osondaha
1. 08:00 – 09:00 The Groom & his family gathers with the Bride’s family and speeches are given by both sides of the families. Mostly the speeches are about wishing the couple well and give guidance how to love and honor each other as husband & wife. Thereafter, the bride & groom bids farewell to the bride’s family and leaves!
Please read this links below.
Natasja in Namibia- My Big Fat Herero Wedding
Daves boring blog- Herero Wedding
Special thanks to Julia Mbai for all facts, links above
