Located between the Waterberg Plateau and the wide plains of central Namibia lies Okakarara - a town that beats with the heart of Herero culture and the memory of one of the country’s defining historical chapters. Though modest in size, Okakarara carries a significance far beyond its dusty streets.
Around 50 km east of the Waterberg Park, Okakarara is the main centre for the surrounding farming communities and an important cultural home for the Herero people. Its name, taken from Otjiherero, means “the small place of Kakarara,” yet its role in Namibia’s story is anything but small.
Okakarara is deeply tied to the Herero–German War of 1904 to 1908. After years of German colonial rule, Herero leader Samuel Maharero led an uprising that culminated in the Battle of Waterberg. Although the Herero were defeated, their resistance endures as a source of national pride and identity. Thousands of survivors passed through Okakarara and the surrounding area, marking the land as sacred to the memory of those who were lost and those who lived on.
Today, the town honours this heritage through the annual Okakarara Trade Fair and Cultural Festival, which draws communities from across Namibia. What began as a small agricultural and livestock fair has grown into a lively celebration of Herero culture, complete with traditional dress, music and dance. It has become a colourful expression of resilience; a space where economic activity and cultural continuity meet. The Okakarara Trade Fair, held annually, showcases local businesses, livestock, and crafts. Its 17th edition took place from 2 to 8 September this year, featuring livestock shows, cultural performances, beauty pageants, and a wide range of exhibitors.
Visitors are drawn not only to Okakarara’s history, but also to the rich cultural experience it offers. The Herero are known for their distinctive Victorian-style dresses and horn-shaped headgear, inspired by cattle - a symbol of wealth, identity, and spirituality.
Visiting Okakarara is like steping into a living narrative of struggle, survival and pride. It’s a reminder that Namibia’s beauty lies not only in its landscapes, but in the spirit of its people.
Around 50 km east of the Waterberg Park, Okakarara is the main centre for the surrounding farming communities and an important cultural home for the Herero people. Its name, taken from Otjiherero, means “the small place of Kakarara,” yet its role in Namibia’s story is anything but small.
Okakarara is deeply tied to the Herero–German War of 1904 to 1908. After years of German colonial rule, Herero leader Samuel Maharero led an uprising that culminated in the Battle of Waterberg. Although the Herero were defeated, their resistance endures as a source of national pride and identity. Thousands of survivors passed through Okakarara and the surrounding area, marking the land as sacred to the memory of those who were lost and those who lived on.
Today, the town honours this heritage through the annual Okakarara Trade Fair and Cultural Festival, which draws communities from across Namibia. What began as a small agricultural and livestock fair has grown into a lively celebration of Herero culture, complete with traditional dress, music and dance. It has become a colourful expression of resilience; a space where economic activity and cultural continuity meet. The Okakarara Trade Fair, held annually, showcases local businesses, livestock, and crafts. Its 17th edition took place from 2 to 8 September this year, featuring livestock shows, cultural performances, beauty pageants, and a wide range of exhibitors.
Visitors are drawn not only to Okakarara’s history, but also to the rich cultural experience it offers. The Herero are known for their distinctive Victorian-style dresses and horn-shaped headgear, inspired by cattle - a symbol of wealth, identity, and spirituality.
Visiting Okakarara is like steping into a living narrative of struggle, survival and pride. It’s a reminder that Namibia’s beauty lies not only in its landscapes, but in the spirit of its people.
