18th century – 20th century
Northern Namibia: Kaoko, Ovambo, Kavango, and Caprivi
Northern Namibian societies in the regions later known as Kaoko, Ovambo, Kavango, and Caprivi were largely organized into centralized states by the nineteenth century. Kings or queens ruled many of these polities, which were mainly matrilineal and generally small, while economies combined agriculture, herding, river fishing, hunting, and foraging. Long-distance commerce, Christian missions, and colonial incursions produced major changes during the second half of the nineteenth century.
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The Story
The northern regions discussed in the chapter correspond to areas later defined as Kaoko, Ovambo, Kavango, and Caprivi. By the nineteenth century, most inhabitants lived in centralized states ruled by kings or queens. These polities were mainly matrilineal, meaning that inheritance and royal succession followed the mother’s lineage, although most states remained relatively small.
Economic life varied with ecology. Agriculture and herding formed the main means of production, and fishing was especially important along rivers. In western Kaoko, a more marginal economy supported pastoralists under weaker forms of authority than those found in the kingdoms, while hunting and foraging remained important throughout the north.
The region experienced profound change during the second half of the nineteenth century, even though most of it did not come under direct colonial occupation until the Caprivi Strip was occupied in 1909. Long-distance commerce, including the slave trade, the expanding influence of Christian missionaries, and colonial incursions altered northern societies and connected them to regions beyond the boundaries of modern Namibia.
18th century – 20th century
Northern Namibia: Kaoko, Ovambo, Kavango, and Caprivi
Northern Namibian societies in the regions later known as Kaoko, Ovambo, Kavango, and Caprivi were largely organized into centralized states by the nineteenth century. Kings or queens ruled many of these polities, which were mainly matrilineal and generally small, while economies combined agriculture, herding, river fishing, hunting, and foraging. Long-distance commerce, Christian missions, and colonial incursions produced major changes during the second half of the nineteenth century.
Continue exploring
The Story
The northern regions discussed in the chapter correspond to areas later defined as Kaoko, Ovambo, Kavango, and Caprivi. By the nineteenth century, most inhabitants lived in centralized states ruled by kings or queens. These polities were mainly matrilineal, meaning that inheritance and royal succession followed the mother’s lineage, although most states remained relatively small.
Economic life varied with ecology. Agriculture and herding formed the main means of production, and fishing was especially important along rivers. In western Kaoko, a more marginal economy supported pastoralists under weaker forms of authority than those found in the kingdoms, while hunting and foraging remained important throughout the north.
The region experienced profound change during the second half of the nineteenth century, even though most of it did not come under direct colonial occupation until the Caprivi Strip was occupied in 1909. Long-distance commerce, including the slave trade, the expanding influence of Christian missionaries, and colonial incursions altered northern societies and connected them to regions beyond the boundaries of modern Namibia.
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Other paths related to this story.