Tuesday, November 29, 2011

2011 Tsumeb Copper Festival

At the end of October the 5th Tsumeb Copper Festival took place - I was looking forward to it because of the opportunity to photograph people and bright colours.

On the one day I took a break from building and journeyed into town to see what I could see:



A woman selling brightly-coloured dresses and bags waits with her child for customers.


A local band entertains the crowd waiting for the official opening ceremony to begin.


A police contingent leads the parade preceding the opening ceremony - I just love the way the kid popped into the picture as I took the shot, look at that mischievous face ... it's called 'photo-bombing' I believe ...


One of the many exhibitors - the organisation of the Copper festival seems to be getting better every year.


I was fascinated by how this tourist was fussing over two women who were carrying their babies on their backs, secured in blankets - a common sight in Africa and something I take for granted - unable to understand each others' language, the two women seemed bewildered by her attentions but the encounter was amicable, with smiles all around.


Something for your head.


Three heads are better than two ...


A local brew made of fermented something - the guy selling it told me the name of the stuff but I've forgotten.


Dried and fried Mopani Worms - a local delicacy - not for me though, I don't like the taste at all.


One of the food vendors prepares porridge in a massive 'potjie' cooking pot.

Related Post:
Tsumeb Copper Festival

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27 comments:

  1. Wow, the first stall is colourful, and I love your "three heads" stall! Great photography Graham. Greetings Jo

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  2. Thanks Jo - I usually avoid crowds but I like this kind of situation because people seem to think I'm either a press photographer or a famous photographer whose name they should know ... :)

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  3. I always love a festival. You've got some wonderful people photos here. Also some photos that show the local culture. Very interesting!

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  4. Thanks Penny - if I was more of a 'people person' I would be able to show a lot more of the various Namibian cultures ...

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  5. Looks like every one had a lot of fun.

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  6. Hehe, yes indeed Phillip - I imagine it becomes a lot livelier at night with the beer tents filling up ...

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  7. Lots of fun and colour, looks like a good day out to me. Mopani worm I have not tried, but I have to being won over with fried flying ants! They just tasted very nutty to me.
    I cannot imagine seeing a baby in a pram in Africa, ones back is much cheaper and I am sure the baby sleeps better with the continual movement.
    Great photos as always, well done Graham. Diane

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  8. Thanks Diane - yes, flying ants I can handle in small doses, they're just too 'rich' or fatty for me ...

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  9. For composition, the three heads; for models, the local women talking to the tourists looked extremely beautiful - did you get any other pics of them? For colour the first, without a doubt; for aaaaaargh factor, the worms; for humour the little boy 'bombing' (new word for me!). And all of it so interesting. More please!
    Caroline

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  10. It's such fun to visit you and learn more about your country and its people. There is the desert, dun and tan colored, and then all these bright, fun and wonderful colors that people dress in and that are on display here. Great fun, thanks.

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  11. ..ahh was it the brew made of fermented something that made you forget?

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  12. you might have two comments ?
    I tried to leave one and I think it failed.
    Of course, now I don't remember what I wrote.
    Oh yeah, the worms or grubs are awful but I bet they have good protein. Nice pics.

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  13. Thanks for your analysis Caroline - I never thought of those things ... yes, I did get a few more pics of the tourist and the ladies but most of them are a bit fuzzy ...

    ... I had planned two posts on the festival but was afraid it might be boring ...

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  14. Thank you Inger - it gives me a thrill to capture Namibia and it's people in images, especially when people from other parts of the world enjoy them ...

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  15. Hehehe Monica - sadly, I can't use the brew as an excuse ... it's probably creeping old-age ... :)

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  16. Thanks Bill - yeah, the Mopani worms are rich in protein but they're an acquired taste I guess.

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  17. This is really wonderful. I enjoyed the colors and the opportunity to see the faces. Thank you for sharing Graham. So what did you buy?

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  18. Thanks Fazlisa - all I got was a sarong ... a cloth wrap that I can wear on hot days ...

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  19. Great photos Graham :) Lovely colours and interesting subjects.
    On my overland trip in November we did briefly pass thru Tsumeb on our way north, from Etosha. No time to stop and say hello unfortunately. Will be posting soon on my blog about that trip.....

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  20. Thanks Coral - looking forward to reading about your Namibia trip.

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  21. Great colours and wonderful photos. Thanks for making us feel the atmosphere of fun, youthful mischief and friendliness through your photos. Even the kid photo-bombing your shot seemed to just add depth to the photo.

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  22. Thanks Calvin - yeah, I love the pic with the kid popping into it.

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  23. Hi Graham .. I've never been to Tsumeb - must rectify that I think .. looking at the history - let alone this festival. Glorious colours - so typically African ...

    Bringing back more memories .. thanks - cheers Hilary

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  24. Thanks Hilary - Tsumeb was once (and still is) one of the most famous Mineral locations in the world ...

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  25. Hi Graham .. I don't think I realised that either ... I never got to Etosha - though I travelled up the Skeleton coast and even flew to the Kunene - and went into the interior a little way ..

    Fascinating place .. I loved it and now would like to revisit .. I've got my letter of x number of pages of the journey and route that I mapped out after our visit - we were on what became a private tour - we were very lucky.

    Thanks .. love looking at your photos and story line .. cheers Hilary

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  26. Thanks Hilary - I hope that my pics will entice you to visit Nam again - and when you do, please let me know ...

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  27. Hi Graham .. will do - and just hope we're still blogging then - but for now I need to wait and be patient ..

    Thank you though! Cheers Hilary

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