WINDHOEK, April 20 (Xinhua) -- With smiles on their faces and adorned in traditional attire, Damara women danced on Saturday at the Stiriken Rokhoedi Culture Market in Windhoek, Namibia.
The event, showcasing "Stiriken Rokhoedi" or embroidered dresses in the Damara language, aimed to promote the traditional practice of hand embroidery -- a key tradition for the Damara people, one of Namibia's oldest inhabitants.
The event featured fashion displays, traditional music and food, with women showcasing themed clothing in dance performances.
Preserving unique designs and traditions is important despite the emergence of new embroidery patterns through machinery mass production, said event coordinator Rosy Eixas.
"The event sought to uphold the unique designs and traditions of the Damara people, thus carrying it forward," she said.
The event also included a panel discussion on the history of embroidery, during which participants discussed the significance of preserving cultural practices while incorporating emerging trends. Rosa Namises, a traditional leader, said that "Stiriken Rokhoedi," dating back to pre-independence, has fostered unity and teamwork among the Damara tribe, particularly among women who use embroidery as decoration and clan representation.
The event symbolized unity, friendship and the diverse clans within the Damara tribe, facilitating cross-generational knowledge transfer and reflecting on the tribe's progress while staying rooted in their foundation, Namises said. ■
