The Damaran community bid farewell to Khoekhoegowab preserver Michael Doëseb at Khorixas.

They described him as a historian, herbalist, poet, and artist of note.

Known as the Damara cultural father, Michael Doëseb was born in Omaruru 73 years ago.

He was part of the Nama Damara committee that wrote school text books in the Khoekhoegowab language in the 1980s.

"From 1980 to 2015, he was doing research on the Damara language's clicks, interviewed 160 people, and wrote cultural poems and songs, traditional games, and traditional medicine who treated people by using traditional veld food based on past centuries, said daughter Sieglinde Wetha.

In the 90's, Doëseb was invited by the founding father, Dr. Sam Nujoma, to save cultural diversity.

He established the Apastua cultural group and performed at different national functions.

Speaking on behalf of the Damara Gaob Justus ǁGaroëb, Pastor John |Guidao-Oab commended the late Doëseb for his involvement in the presevation of the Damara culture.

"He dwelled into a deeper aspect of Damara tradition issues that came as a blessing, as he was really someone who helped me to promote our culture with pride and dignity."

Doeseb is survived by his wife and eight children.