Ae-Gams Arts and Cultural Festival

The name /Ae//Gams is the Khoekhoe word for Windhoek, meaning "hot springs," which refers to the thermal springs that were once found around the site of the city.

The festival brings together traditional groups, artists, and entrepreneurs to showcase traditional dances, fashion, local and international cuisine, crafts, and other products. It is a modern civic celebration, distinct from religious or seasonal events, and differs from the Windhoek Karneval, the Enjando Street Festival, and the Windhoek Oktoberfest.

Established in 2001, the festival ran until 2015 before going on hiatus. The City revived it in 2023, and since then, it has been held annually, usually in late April or early May, over two days.

The festival has a standing motto, "Diverse Cultures, One Vision," along with a new sub-theme each year.

A typical program begins with a cultural parade, followed by traditional dance showcases, live music, poetry, theatre, comedy, fashion shows, craft classes, arts and crafts exhibitions, and food stalls.

Recent editions have included additional activities such as a fun run, a yoga session, a chess tournament, and traditional games like owela, blik volmaak, and amagoes, along with cooking competitions featuring vetkoek and potjiekos.

Cultural troupes representing different ethnic groups of Namibia participate in the festival. Recent line-ups included the Amaburuxa Cultural Group (Nama), the Onambula Cultural Group (Oshiwambo), and the Black Melody Cultural Group (Tswana). In earlier years, living museum groups recreated traditional village life.

Cultural performances, traditional food fairs, arts exhibitions