Abstract:
This paper analyses the role of tertiary institutions in the preservation of oral traditions and cultures in Namibia, with specific reference to cultural festivals held from 2009 to 2012 at the NUST. A number of institutions in Namibia hold annual cultural festivals in keeping with the Namibian cultural policy that is based on unity in diversity. The NUST cultural festival reflects the diversity of cultures within the NUST community to represent the multi-cultural environment of the institution. The study argues that, by hosting cultural festivals, institutions such as the NUST play a leading role in the preservation of material and oral cultures of people. Preservation of oral traditions is made possible when the performances at such festivals are recorded and used as authentic sources for teaching within tertiary institutions. Interviews with students doing the Bachelor of Communication degree at the NUST indicate that if such materials are used for teaching, students are inspired to learn more about such cultures. In addition to teaching, preservation is achieved through publicity in the media, scholarly publications, and social networking. In the study, I employed a descriptive analysis within the framework of ethnography of communication.
