The day was designed as a celebration of different Namibian cultural groups, from Caprivians to Damara to Herero to Ovambo and so on, through a mixture of traditional music, dancing, dress and food. However the festival not only served as a time to relish your heritage as an individual but also gave the chance for each and every member of the Lüderitz community to feel proud of the incredible ability that their country has to work in unity despite its differences. ‘This is modern Namibia’, said an official spokesperson for the event, ‘being proud of where you come from and where you’re going.’ And as brightly colour dresses whirled around in a Kavango dance to the strains of a four part brass band and the smell of freshly cooked meat, fish and other treats filled the air it was easy to see what she meant. ‘It’s important to stand up with your culture and be able to say “here I am.” Be part of this diversity.’

Cultural tit-bits: At this years Cultural Day I treated myself to a traditional Oshiwambo feast of spinach, fried chicken, porridge, dried meat and (perhaps most worryingly) fried worms that had come all the way from Ovamboland! Whilst worms are not normally in my culinary repertoire I felt honoured that I’d been able to try such a delicacy.