Omhedi
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Omhedi | |
|---|---|
Village | |
| Coordinates: 17°30′S 15°51′E / 17.500°S 15.850°ECoordinates: 17°30′S 15°51′E / 17.500°S 15.850°E Fatal error: The format of the coordinate could not be determined. Parsing failed. | |
| Country |  Namibia |
| Region | Ohangwena Region |
| Traditional area | Oukwanyama |
| Royal seat | 2005 |
| Government | |
| • Traditional authority | Oukwanyama Traditional Authority |
| Time zone | UTC+2 |
Omhedi is a village in Ohangwena Region, northern Namibia, a few kilometres from Ohangwena and not far from the Angola–Namibia border at Oshikango. Since 12 November 2005 it has been the seat of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority and the palace of Queen Martha Mwadinomho yaKristian Nelumbu.[1]
History
Oukwanyama historically straddled what is now Namibia and Angola. After Mandume yaNdemufayo left Ondjiva in 1915, the Namibian side of the kingdom was run through headmen. Senior headman Ndjukuma ya Shilengifa occupied Omhedi in 1915 after being moved from Oihole to make way for Mandume. Under South African rule Omhedi became a centre of indirect rule and a stage for official visits and ethnographic display. Kingship itself was suppressed after Mandume’s death in 1917.[2]
A committee to restore an ohamba for Ovakwanyama living in Namibia was formed after independence. Kornelius Mwetupunga Shelungu was named in 1996. Omhedi was chosen as the Namibian palace; a wooden compound of about three hectares was built in 2004. Shelungu died on 3 November 2005. On 12 November Nelumbu was crowned there and the palace was opened the same day.
Palace
The Omhedi palace is the working seat of the queen and of the traditional council. It houses abandoned children and homeless adults; by the early 2020s more than 60 children had been taken in and a kindergarten operated on the grounds.[3][4] President Nangolo Mbumba visited the palace in May 2024 after Nelumbu received an honorary doctorate from the Namibia University of Science and Technology.
The site is used for state and cultural events, including Omagongo (marula) gatherings and Mandume commemorations on 6 February. A bust of Mandume has been unveiled there. Oukwanyama on the Angolan side keeps a separate seat at Oihole.
See also
- Oukwanyama Traditional Authority
- Martha Nelumbu
- Mandume yaNdemufayo
- Ohangwena Region
- Oshikango
- Onambango
- Onamungundo
References
- ↑ "Oukwanyama queen is my friend, mentor and leader – Mbumba". The Namibian. 8 May 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
- ↑ Sasman, Catherine (7 September 2007). "Wherein lies power of chiefs?". New Era. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
- ↑ Haihambo, Taimi (8 December 2023). "Queen Mwadinomho: Mother to the motherless". New Era. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
- ↑ "Oukwanyama queen recognised for contribution to community". The Namibian. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2026.
External links
- Ohangwena traditional authorities, Ministry of Urban and Rural Development
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