Passing the intersection of dirt C14 and D1290 roads, you will face an hour’s journey, leading to the battlefield of Samkbis, a sacred and sacred sanctuary.
Here, over a century ago the Buster community was cornered and refuged on quiet and cold hills. They fought bravely against the unforgiving and brutal German Schutzturppe in May 1915.
The battle took place between May 1st and 2nd on various farms such as Uitdraai, about 23km outside Rehoboth. Gully near Rietoog from May 3rd to 4th. And on May 5, 1915, when the Basterds raised the community flag to honor all fallen victims.
Years later, hundreds gathered at the site to pay homage to their ancestors who died in tireless battles to avoid land acquisition.
The annual week of the Battle of Sam Kubis took place at the same time as International Labor Day and Cassinga Day.
honor
This year’s 110th anniversary was attended by the church ceremony at Paul Skirsch Evangelical Lutheran Church, both young and old, dressed in traditional clothing. There, citizens gave thanks and praise for God’s intervention for saving the nation from the entire disappearance by the Germans.
On behalf of Vice President Lucia Witbooi, Governor Hardap Riaan McNab praised the Sam Khubis Committee for improved infrastructure and development in the topography of Kaptein and Sam Khubis. He noted that many of our community members now have a deeper understanding and a sense of gratitude for historic events.
This moment helps to reflect and remind them of their God-made ancestor “de gelofte” – “If he saves them today, they will forever remember and respect the battle of Sam Kubis on the cold and horrifying fateful morning of May 8, 1915.”
After the service, the community, led by a torch bearer and a police band, gathered at the Hermanas Van Wyke Community Hall, where they held buster flags and set the torch on fire – indicating that the festival had begun, and wreaths were laid out at the memorial behind the community hall.
Shortly afterwards, a parade of horses and Bucky carried the residents, and their camping equipment headed from Rehoboth to the terrain of Samkvis, Klein Orb.
By the time the sun set, and when everyone settled down and set up the camp, the festival began with torch lighting.
All night, the memorial continued to be re-enacted, especially at 04h00, when gun salutes were held.
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For first-time attendees, these re-enactments were unexpected and terrifying as they provide an overview and serve as reminders.
After the sunrise, the day continued with a religious ritual. Then, when the citizens renewed their vows and made their pledges to God, the “de gelofte” followed.
Among the attendees were Buster Captain Jackie Britt, Governor McNab, Samkvis, committee members and religious leaders.
The event included laying wreaths in the cemetery, prayers and songs from the official festival.
This year, several individuals pledged more than $30,000 to maintain and maintain the Sam Kubis Memorial and the terrain.
More than a century later, the silence of forgotten victims is still speaking as the inhabitants respected their ancestors and fought bravely to ensure that they were not erased from the surface of the earth.
-herdmann@nepc.com.na
