-
The Kavango people
The Kavango people, also known as the vaKavango or haKavango, are a Bantu ethnic group residing along the Kavango River, which forms part of the border between Namibia and Angola. Their traditional homeland is the Kavango Region in Namibia, where they have lived for centuries, with a lifestyle deeply tied to the river and its surrounding environments. The Kavango people are largely riverine, relying on fishing, livestock farming, and agriculture for their livelihoods. Pearl millet is their main crop, used to prepare staple dishes like porridge, and it is also fermented to make a traditional drink. The Kavango people are divided into five kingdoms: Kwangali, Mbunza, Shambyu, Gciriku, and Mbukushu.…
-
The Himba
The Himba are a semi-nomadic ethnic group predominantly found in the Kunene Region of northern Namibia and across the Kunene River in southern Angola. With an estimated population of about 50,000, the Himba are among the last semi-nomadic pastoralists in Namibia, maintaining their traditional way of life in a rapidly changing world. The Himba people speak OtjiHimba, a variety of the Herero language, which belongs to the Bantu language family. Their language, like their culture, is an integral part of their identity, preserving centuries of heritage and traditions. Although related to the Herero people, the Himba are distinct in several ways, particularly in their lifestyle and customs. They are known…
-
The Ovambo people
The Ovambo people are a large Bantu ethnic group primarily found in northern Namibia and southern Angola, particularly in the Cunene Province. With an estimated population of around 2.2 million, they represent the largest ethnic group in Namibia, accounting for nearly half of the country’s population. In Angola, they form a smaller minority, often referred to as “Ambo” in the southern regions. The Ovambo people speak Oshiwambo, a Bantu language, with several dialects corresponding to their various sub-tribes. Historically, the Ovambo lived in a region known as Ovamboland, characterized by flat, sandy plains irrigated by seasonal watercourses called oshanis. These oshanis create temporary lakes and islands during the rainy season,…
-
The Republic of Angola
The Republic of Angola, located on the west-central coast of Southern Africa, is a country rich in cultural heritage and historical significance. It is the second-largest Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) country globally, both in terms of area and population, and the seventh-largest country in Africa. Angola is bordered by Namibia to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The exclave province of Cabinda is located north of the main territory and borders both the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Luanda, the capital and largest city, serves as the political and economic…
