Uukwaluudhi is a traditional kingdom of the

Ovambo people The Ovambo people (), also called Aawambo, Ambo, Aawambo (Ndonga, Nghandjera, Kwambi, Kwaluudhi, Kolonghadhi, Mbalantu, mbadja), or Ovawambo (Kwanyama), are a Bantu peoples, Bantu ethnic group native to Southern Africa, primarily modern Namibia. ...

in what is today northern

Namibia Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country on the west coast of Southern Africa. Its borders include the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south; in the no ...

. Its capital is

Tsandi Tsandi ( Oshiwambo: ''that which is at the center'') is a village in the Omusati Region of northern Namibia and the district capital of the Tsandi electoral constituency. It is a former mission station of the Finnish Missionary Society. Tsandi ...

, a settlement located about 30 km south of

Outapi Outapi wa Nakafingo na Temba, also Outapi or Uutapi and Ombalantu, is a town in northern Namibia near the border with Angola, situated northwest of Oshakati. It is the capital of the Omusati region and the district capital of the Outapi electo ...

, and the location of the Uukwaluudhi Royal Homestead. The homestead is situated about 2 km past Tsandi towards the town of

Okahao Okahao is a town in the Omusati Region of northern Namibia and the district capital of the Okahao electoral constituency which is the largest constituency in Omusati region in terms of area. It is a former mission station of the Finnish Mission ...

. Half of it is of modern structure where the Kwaluudhi king and queen reside, while the other half is left in traditional Owambo style. The King now lives in a modern house, but the old residence complex has been kept to keep the homestead live, learn more about people's culture, traditions and history. When a homestead with modern brick-buildings was constructed next to the traditional homestead in 1978, the king and his family moved over, to allow visitors access the former royal home. Guided tours takes approximately 1.5 hours which starts at the front yard of the homestead, used as a reception area for people visiting the kingdom.

Uukwaluudhi king

Josia Shikongo Taapopi, is the twelfth king of the Uukwaluudhi. He was appointed by his uncle King Mwaala, who reigned for 50 years, the royal lineage extending through the matrilineal line.

Uukwaluudhi traditional activity

Marula fruit festival

Omagongo known as Marula, a beverage made from the marula fruit was celebrated as Cultural Festival at Uukwaluudhi traditional authority homestead in 2018. The celebration took 2-3 days to unite Aawambo communities of the northern part of Namibia. It was hosted by Uukwaluudhi king, Josia Shikongo Taapopi. The festival was attended by former the founding father of Namibia and its first President

Sam Nujoma Samuel Shafiishuna Daniel Nujoma ( ; 12May 19298February 2025) was a Namibian revolutionary, anti-apartheid activist and politician who served three terms as the first president of Namibia, from 1990 to 2005. Nujoma was a founding member and t ...

as well as the creator of the Omagongo Cultural Festival.

References

Namibia Other Places Travel Guide. Author Jeremiah Allen

Former countries in Africa Ovambo {{Namibia-stub