Ondjiva - The need to promote policies aimed at publicising, valuing and preserving the cultural elements of different local peoples was defended on Wednesday in the southern Cunene Province by historian Leonardo Tuyenikumwe.
Speaking to ANGOP on the occasion of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, marked on 21 May, he said that it is necessary for schoolling institutions to address issues related to cultural diversity, so that the new generation has a culture of tolerance and love for culture.
Leonardo Tuyenikumwe said that more anthropological and historical studies needed to be carried out in order to gain a better understanding of differences and to know the origins of groups, thus avoiding marginalisation and prejudiced ideas towards certain ethnic groups.
He also advocated the promotion of local festivals on folk songs and dances, poetry, tales, gastronomy and other cultural aspects, at municipal and provincial level, as a way of publicising people's traditions.
The historian pointed out that currently the tendency is to valorise foreign culture, while regional culture, which is typical of the peoples of the region, tends to be devalued and discriminated against if there is not a more protective and preservationist stance.
He characterised cultural diversity as a set of actions that represent certain peoples, such as language, clothing, gastronomy, thought, political and economic structuring of these peoples.
Leonardo Tuyenikumwe said that Cunene is a rich province regarding cultural diversity which constitutes a multicultural mosaic with peoples of Bantu and non-Bantu origin such as the Khoisans and Vatuas, as well as the Mushimba, Tchavikua, Mundinbas, Mushimbas, Muakayonas, Nhanekas-Humbes, Ovambadja, Ondombudolas, Evales, Kafima, Ovakwanhama, Tchokwes and Ovahanda groups, considered to have a specific cultural diversity.
“These are groups that preserve ancient cultures, from the way they dress, the use of body cream, their hairstyles and their way of life, which can contribute to the development of tourism and local revenue, as well as economic, intellectual and anthropological development”, he said.
World Day for Cultural Diversity pays tribute not only to the richness of cultures, but also to the essential role of intercultural dialogue in achieving peace and sustainable development.
The United Nations General Assembly declared this day for the first time in 2002, following UNESCO's approval of the 2001 Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, which recognises the need to increase the potential of culture as a means of achieving prosperity, sustainable development and peaceful coexistence worldwide.
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