Cuca Shops in the north

In central northern Namibia - scorching in summer, and not blessed with modern entertainment amenities such as theatres and cinemas, it is not surprising that entertainment is found at slightly different venues than elsewhere in the world. Nevertheless, the main objectives – socialisation, communication, entertainment and the enjoyment of liquid refreshments - remain pretty much the same at these alternative venues, referred to as cuca shops.

Thus, once the daily chores of minding after the cattle and the homestead are done, it’s time to visit one of the small local outlets to meet friends, make new acquaintances, gossip. To swop stories about the son, daughter, nephew, mother or father who’s coming up from Windhoek or Swakopmund for the weekend and what he or she is bringing along for the family, extended and otherwise.

Over the years, an astonishing diversity of these cuca shops has developed. Amongst these little outlets, named after a popular brand of Angolan beer, they come in many shapes and sizes. Most striking and memorable are the fantastic names of these taverns, often combined with small retail outlets. The names mostly reveal hopes, longings and temperaments of those who run the cuca shops, primarily women, whether they be owners or managers. The shops are clearly visible from the road, and I hastily jotted down their names on the stretch between Oshivelo and Ruacana, this being the main tarred road traversing central northern Namibia. It also carries the bulk of road traffic to Angola, the two border posts being at Oshikango and Mahanene.

Many cuca shops have Oshivambo names, such as the Mbungu Yetu Bottle Store (mostly abbreviated to BS), Eunda BS, Ponhopa Bar, Okashana Bar, Okapunda Bar, Shop Pantsula, Makiti Bar, Kakweya Page 2, M.N. Ofshini Nomanwino, Onamutoni Bar, Oshikwanelago Bar, Opotolukwa Kwetu, Ohungi Bar & Restaurant No.1, Oniingo BS, Shiwambo Bar, Uugongo and Ongookoli B/S.

A surprisingly large number have evocative (sometimes misspelt) English names that refer to leisure, pleasure and the good times. Examples are the Sun Shine Bar, Take Time Bar, Holiday Special, Sea Side Bar, Paradise Province, Any Time Bar, Peace Full Bar, Cool Life Bar and Sunflower Bar.

With names like Mr War, K 47 (from AK 47), the TNT Bar, some bear testimony to the war up in the north. And which soldier wouldn’t like to be counted in the Roll Call Bar? Others express appreciation for the new-found freedom of an independent Namibia, hence Freedom Star Bar, One Namibia One Nation and Namibia Nation.

Yearning for far-away places is expressed in names such as Rhodesia Bottle Store, Sunremo Bar, California BS, Yoko Hama SC, Cape to Cairo, My-Kanos Bar, Saarayevo Bar, Limerick Inn, Park Cubano, Havanna City, Chicago Bar and Mississippi Bar.

Others indicate that their owners have lived in or visited other parts of the country and then returned, so we find Dolphin Park, the Namdeb Bar, Rehoboth Bar, Benguella Bar, Group One and the Mondesa Store. Criticism of life in general finds expression in names like Hard Work No. 2, Club The System and The Reality Bar, while mild rebuke at the American way of life is emerges in the name USA No Money No Life Bar.

Some spots have rather naughty names, for instance the G-Spot, Hot Stuff Bar, Jet Style No.1, Master Man Bar, Try Again, Over Size Bar, Shake Up, Etunda Baby Smile, Agreement Centre No.2, Groove Station, Superboys Park, You and Me Entertainment, Kwasa Kwasa, Take It, Face to Face, Two Way, Zama Zama Bar, Hardrock, Night Life Bar and the Let’s Push Bar.

A friendly greeting awaits guests and visitors at the Stop & Shop BS, My Friend Bar, Welcome my friend to Bwana Mulenga BS, Welcome Bar, Welcome Mary and Good Friends Park, while others like Three Sisters Beer Garden, Mama Africa, Ours Bar, Two Brothers Bar, Small Boy Bar, Home Friends Centre and Tommy’s Family, reminding us that we all belong to one big and happy family!

Environmentalists will enjoy a drink at the Makalani Bar, Sun Set Bar, Capricorn Restaurant, Big Five B/S, Bush Bar, Bar H20 and Water is Life Bar, while The Happy Black Star, Yellow Star Depot, Young Star Bar and Melody Star recall starlit Namibian nights.

Nobility probably hangs out at the Royal Pub, Kings Bar, Red Bishop Park and Mr Bar. Life certainly cannot be any better than at the New Life Bar, Happy Life and Top Life.

Romanticism runs high at the Memory Café and Legend Life, while feeling blue is celebrated at the Days Of Our Life Bar, Silence City, Club Blue Fire, Life Bar, Long Way, Backstage Bar and the Every Day Bar.

One can’t help but wonder what goes on at the BMW Safari Centre, the Collection House Bar, Twenty Century Centre, Tic Tac Bar or the Millennium Bar.

So next time you drive up north, let’s meet at the Take Away Bar, Special Offer BS No. 2, the New Stuff Depot or even the New Page Depot & Bar. Alternatives would be the La-Bino Bar, Top Twenty No. 2, the SH Bar or the ABC Bar.

What about Try Shopp? Or the African Land Bar?
The Motto Bar?
The Rum & Coke Bar? Or… or….