Nakambale Museum was opened as a National Monument in May 1995 and the museum is a member of the Museums Association of Namibia. The museum is called Nakambale, in honour of the Finnish missionary Rev Marrti Rautanen who lived in Olukonda and was named Nakambale – “the one who wears the hat like okambale” by the local people because he loved to wear a skullcap, which resembled a small basket – okambale. The museum offers a large variety of exhibits, photos and texts about the Owambo culture and Finnish Missionary. The museum is owned and maintained by Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN).
Some of the Church items found in the museum.
Some of the items in the museum which belonged to Nakambale.
Oshiwambo traditional items displayed in the museum.
Dr Martti Rautanen (Nakambale) 1845 – 1926 was a Finnish Missionary who lived in Olukonda for many years. Among other things, Dr Rautanen translated the Bible into the Oshindonga language. In 1889, Rev. Rautanen erected the first church building of Northern Namibia at Olukonda and a mission house was built in 1893. Both buildings still exist, and in 1992 the Government of Namibia proclaimed them National Monuments of Namibia.
Dr. Martti Rautanen (Nakambale) the Finnish Missionary.
Literature written by Dr. Rautanen in Oshindonga.
Dr. Martti Rautanen (Nakambale) the Finnish Missionary.
In the beautiful plains of Northern Namibia, amidst Makalani palms, Mahangu fields and Owambo homesteads, one finds Olukonda. Olukonda is a settlement in the Oshikoto Region in the north of Namibia and is one of the first Finnish mission stations in Ovamboland
founded in 1871. Throughout the German colonial time, it was the “Capital” of the North and from 1880, Olukonda was the home of the pioneering Finnish Missionary, Rev Marrti Rautanen (Nakambale) until his death in 1926. Olukonda is in Ondonga and
occupied by Aandonga who speak Oshindonga.
Via tarred road, you can reach Olukonda easily from Tsumeb (250 KM), the Etosha Game Park (195.8 KM) or from Ruacana Falls (512 KM).
To reach Olukonda and the Nakambale Museum and Rest Camp, approaching from the south, 8 km before Ondangwa, one should look out for a signpost that indicates Olukonda (D3629) on the left side of the road indicating a turn off to the left. Follow the road for 5km until you come across Olukonda ELCIN church where you will find signpost of the museum.
The sign to Olukonda.
The sign to nakambale Museum.
Sign at Nakambale museum.