VV(13) - Hereros

[David Morris]

http://www.dolls.50megs.com/

The Herero are a pastoral cattle-breeding people who migrated to Namibia 
several centuries ago. According to oral tradition they moved down from the 
great lakes of East Africa and later crossed into presend-day Zambia and 
southern Angola, arriving at the Kunene River in about 1550. It is believed 
that they formerly lived in a country with water and reeds, known as Roruu, 
before migrating further south. No one has, however, succeeded in tracing 
this African marshland.

After inhabiting Kaokoland for some 200 years, a large number of Herero 
migrated further south, leaving the Himba and Tjimba tribes behind, and 
reaching the Swakop River valley towards the middle of the 18th century. 
During the 19th century they moved eastwards, eventually establishing 
themselves in the northern central areas of the country.

Today the Herero number over 100 000. They can be subdivided into the 
following groups: The Herero proper, with traditional chiefdoms Maharero 
(Okahandja), Zerua (Omaruru) and Kambazembi (Waterberg); the Ndamuranda; the 
Tjimba Herero of Kaokoland (Kunene Region); the Mbanderu, who live in the 
east of Namibia, especially in the Gobabis district and the reserves of 
Epukito, Otjombinde and Aminuis; the Himda; and other smaller factions in 
northern Kunene and south-western Angola.

The colonial wars and Herero Uprising of 1904 - 1905 resulted in a drastic 
decrease of the Herero population. Under General Lothar von Trotha and his 
infamous Vernichtungsbefehl (proclamation of extermination), the most 
shameful war atrocity in Namibia's history was commited. By December 1905, 
when an armistice was signed between the warring parties, only 16 000 
Hereros of an estimated 80 000 were still alive. However, despite the 
suppressing of their traditional culture, confiscation of tribal lands and 
the restrictions of labour laws, the Herero managed to keep their bonds of 
family life, tribal solidarity and national consciousness alive, as is 
demonstrated by the annual Herero Festival on Maharero Day in August when 
various units of paramilitary organisations parade before their leaders in 
full dress through the streets of Okahandja, Gobabis and Omaruru


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