7/5-7/6 Visiting Queen of Oukwanyama and King Taapopi

“It’s living history,” said Professor Kreike. We started traveling around Namibia this week, and on the past few days, we had a chance to meet Ohamba Mwadinomho, the queen of Oukwanyama, and King Taapopi at their homestead.

I’m a rising junior pursuing a certificate in visual art, and this trip has provided numerous opportunities for me to practice and reflect on photography. Understanding the historical context gives me a lens to look at the world, and select the particular moments to release the shutter. What have the culture and people in Namibia presented, performed, shown, and lived for us outsiders to see, watch, look and observe?

Portrait of King Taapopi

 

Group photo with King Taapopi and the Queen (I managed to set a timer so I can also be in the group picture for the first time)

Group photo of us in traditional clothes with the Queen of Oukwanyama (I’m not in the photo)

As part of the class, we took Oshiwambo for two weeks. We performed two songs that we learned in Oshiwambo classes for the Queen in our traditional clothes.

Portrait of the Queen of Oukwanyama