The Annual Matutura Cultural Festival is fast becoming one of Swakopmund's biggest informal marketplaces.
For local vendors, the festival offers more than just music and dance; it provides an opportunity to earn an income, grow small businesses, and turn creativity into cash.
From handmade crafts to sizzling street food, the festival grounds transformed into a vibrant economic hub, proving that culture and commerce can thrive side by side.
Regina Kooitjie, from the |Asa ||Aes Cultural Group, said the cultural festival plays a vital role in keeping traditions relevant.
"The festival is our way of renewing our traditions, also for our children to carry the knowledge about how we, the Namas, did things. That's basically what we are showcasing here: how we cook food and showcase Nama traditional things."
Timoteus Makgone from the Motswana Mo Erongo Cultural Group gave a brief explanation of wild nuts.
Tsoaxaub-ams Cultural Group member Mascolin Seibes explained how the donkey meat became a favourite dish at the festival.
Investment Officer for Economic Development Services at the Municipality of Swakopmund, Oscar Homateni, said the municipality came up with the initiative to promote Matutura as a suburb and create more economic activities in the area.
"We got about ten ethnic groups that are represented in this Matutura Cultural Festival, and we started this about four years ago, just with the aim of basically promoting Matutura as a suburb. We just wanted to create more economic activities in this area."
The Municipality of Swakopmund and the Ministry of Education are co-hosting the festival to show that culture is for all ages.
The festival also saw various cultural groups competing for monetary prizes.
The Kavango Traditional Group walked away with N$3,500 in the Dance and Overall Presentation category. The Baster Traditional Group won N$2,000 for Best Food on Display.
And once again, the Batswana Cultural Group took the Overall Winner's Award, walking away with N$3,000.
All cultural groups received a participation fee of N$1,500.