Herero Day (Red Flag Day)

The festival

In Okahandja, the Herero Day — Otjisserandu, the day of the red flag — gathers the herero people each year around the memory of its missing leaders. The commemoration was born on 26 August 1923, when the body of Chief Samuel Maharero, who died in exile, was re-inhumed with his ancestors. For three days, processions towards the graves, religious service and red clothing followed each other, in a gesture of resistance, unity and fidelity. It was a living memory, carried by families from all over the country.