4 minute read
Rokhoes
A fashionable tribute for a charismatic leader
On 4 February 2024, Namibia mourned the loss of a national icon, Dr Hage Geingob, fondly known as “Hagelulu”. Dr Geingob, who was celebrated for his political contributions to Namibian independence and his charisma, was and continues to be mourned by thousands across the world. Among the beautiful tributes he has received was a unique and innovative expression from the women of the Damara community.
The ‡Nīsa Damaradi |Ae||gams, a cultural group focused on preserving Damara traditions, specifically the Damara dress, or rokhoes, used their artistry to pay their respects. Their creation, which soon became known as the “presidential dress”, captured the nation’s attention after pictures featuring fashion influencer Steffie Skrywer in a pinstriped version went viral.
“‡Nīsa Damaradi |Ae||gams is part of a national team responsible for promoting culture and traditions within a particular town – in our case |Ae||gams (Windhoek). We primarily focus on traditional dresses, such as the patched dress, the clan dress, the funeral dress and the embroidered dress,” says ‡Nīsa Damaradi member, Rosy ‡Eixas.
Talking about the tribute dress, Steffie says: “The dress was inspired by the late president’s love for pinstriped suits. He was a charismatic, stylish leader and he always made a lasting impression. The making of this dress was much deeper and personal, and it took me a few days to figure out where to start. I wasn’t even sure if I could get the fabric, but something in me was restless until I found it.”
According to Rosy, the “presidential dress” has been received positively, especially among younger women. It was a reminder that the traditional dress can be innovative without losing its original look or cultural relevance. This ultimately helps keep the dress relevant among the youth, considering the fast pace of current fashion trends.
While the pinstriped “presidential dress” may be a new national phenomenon, a tribute of this kind is nothing new for the Damara community. “Traditional leaders in our community are honoured with clan dresses. Women wear their clan dresses at traditional events or when called up by the King at the annual Gaob Fees. These clan dresses are also worn at funerals of traditional leaders or elders with esteemed responsibilities within their communities,” explains Rosy.
The Damara people traditionally wear black or darker-toned dresses to funerals. The “presidential dress” forms part of the traditional dress code at a funeral, with the pinstriped suit version simply being a contemporary expression of an age-old tradition. “The design is slightly modern, and the bust area resembles a suit with all the other traditional features of the Damara dress incorporated.”
Steffie beams with pride as she talks about the Damara dress, its history and its cultural significance. “Our dresses are linked to rituals and are guarded by a sense of ancestral connection. I couldn’t help but feel pride in the way people recognised the significance of what became historical. I got emotional and took time to process the moment. When I got the inspiration for the suit-like dress, I struggled to source the fabric as I only wanted something identical to what our late president wore. I now believe that the ancestors ensured that I could get the pinstriped fabric and have the dress ready in time to honour our late president.”
The “presidential dress” tribute will go down as a unique moment in Namibian fashion history. The ‡Nīsa Damaradi |Ae||gams hope it will become a staple in Namibian funeral attire, not only honouring the memory of Dr Geingob but also celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Damara people.
