In the heart of Eenhana in the Ohangwena Region, a group of self-taught craftsmen are keeping traditional skills alive.

Joseph Haufiku, and colleagues Vaino Benhard and Nghilifavali Filipus, have been using his natural talent to create arrows for bows, double-edged knives, cudgels, and spears.

Haufiku explained that the craftsmen turned to their traditional skills due to the harsh reality of limited job opportunities.

He said they are doing this not only to earn a living but also to help preserve their culture.

"We started doing this as a way to preserve and maintain our culture, ensuring that our traditions and practices are passed down to future generations. At the same time, we wanted to prevent theft and create employment opportunities for ourselves and support our families."

Despite their passion and dedication to crafting, the trio continue to face several challenges of clients wanting to dictate prices for items.

"You set your own prices, but people end up deciding the prices for you; they refuse to buy at the amount you ask, saying the items are too expensive. Some even question why we are selling our products or what the purpose of our crafts is. That doesn't stop us from moving forward; we continue to push on in order to earn something for ourselves," laments Haufiku.

The craftsmen further said they also face a lack of support from the community, which makes it difficult for them to grow and gain recognition.

Haufiku noted that opportunities to showcase their work at business expos remain out of reach because they cannot afford participation fees.
Despite these obstacles, Haufiku and his colleagues remain committed to their craft to become financially independent.