Article: Learning from the Omagongo Cultural Festival about entrepreneurship and self-employment in Namibia Journal: International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business (IJESB) 2022 Vol.46 No.1 pp.1 - 15 Abstract: Omagongo Festival is one of the most entrepreneurial initiatives of the Namibian Owambo people. The primary symbol for this festival is the <i>marula tree</i>, celebrated as it is a key source of an alcoholic beverage. There is much to learn about self-employment, small business and entrepreneurship. This unique festival is hosted by almost ten ethnic groups/clans annually in Northern Namibia, which were armed forces in the liberation struggle of Namibia 29 years ago. Stories of their entrepreneurial initiatives are little known and almost never told in the academic literature. Since 2017, the communities joined forces to hold an annual cultural festival where the entrepreneurial legacy of the tribe is celebrated; the stories of the Oshiwambo people are not well documented. The authors of this paper joined forces with the community at the annual Omagongo Festival of 2018 and captured ten stories from entrepreneurs. These stories will give an overview of how they build capacity and make entrepreneurship work for the people. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Learning from the Omagongo Cultural Festival about entrepreneurship and self-employment in Namibia

Authors: Wilfred Isak Amazing April; Daniel Ileni Itenge; David Namalenga

Addresses: Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek, Republic of Namibia ' Maltas Club Namibia, P.O. Box 27919 Windhoek, Republic of Namibia; Ministry of Labour, P.O. Box, Otjiwarongo, Republic of Namibia ' Dinapama Manufacturing and Supplies, Republic of Namibia, Erf 744, Simmentaler Street Northern Industrial Area, Windhoek, Republic of Namibia

Abstract: Omagongo Festival is one of the most entrepreneurial initiatives of the Namibian Owambo people. The primary symbol for this festival is the marula tree, celebrated as it is a key source of an alcoholic beverage. There is much to learn about self-employment, small business and entrepreneurship. This unique festival is hosted by almost ten ethnic groups/clans annually in Northern Namibia, which were armed forces in the liberation struggle of Namibia 29 years ago. Stories of their entrepreneurial initiatives are little known and almost never told in the academic literature. Since 2017, the communities joined forces to hold an annual cultural festival where the entrepreneurial legacy of the tribe is celebrated; the stories of the Oshiwambo people are not well documented. The authors of this paper joined forces with the community at the annual Omagongo Festival of 2018 and captured ten stories from entrepreneurs. These stories will give an overview of how they build capacity and make entrepreneurship work for the people.

Keywords: Namibia; ethnic group; Omagongo; entrepreneurship; small business; self-employment; informal markets.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2022.123983

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2022 Vol.46 No.1, pp.1 - 15

Received: 15 Jun 2019
Accepted: 30 Jun 2019
Published online: 06 Jul 2022 *

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Title: Learning from the Omagongo Cultural Festival about entrepreneurship and self-employment in Namibia

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