XIXᵉ siècle
Eastern Namibia
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Khauas Uprising of 1896 was an armed resistance to German colonial expansion in eastern Namibia. Khauas fighters attacked a German patrol and the garrison at Gobabis before retreating with eastern Otjiherero-speaking forces toward Otjunda near Epukiro. The coalition was defeated, after which German authorities executed leaders, displaced Khauas communities, imposed imprisonment and forced labour, and further weakened the economic and political autonomy of eastern pastoral societies.
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Le récit
The uprising emerged from a deteriorating political and economic situation. German boundary treaties restricted grazing and residence, cattle were confiscated when found beyond the frontier, and communities in the east faced the loss of land and productive resources. Drought intensified these pressures. In March 1896, a group of Khauas launched a surprise assault on a German patrol, beginning an armed conflict that quickly unsettled the colony.
The following month, Khauas forces, probably led by Nicodemus Kavikunua and perhaps Kahimemua, attacked the German garrison at Gobabis. The attack was heavily defeated, with perhaps one hundred African losses and six German losses. Nicodemus withdrew from the fighting, while Kahimemua and the main body of Otjiherero-speakers moved into the veld with the Khauas, evading pursuit until they were found near Epukiro.
At Otjunda, called Sturmfeld by the resisting forces, the coalition fought a hard battle and was defeated. The victorious force included Germans, Basters, followers of Hendrik Witbooi and Samuel Maharero, and two disaffected Mbanderu ovahona. Kahimemua surrendered after his forces suffered severe losses, and Nicodemus Kavikunua entered German custody. Both leaders were imprisoned at Okahandja and executed by firing squad on 12 June 1896.
The defeat did not end the consequences of the uprising. German authorities removed Khauas communities, or people defined as Khauas, from eastern areas. Some were placed under Witbooi’s authority, while many were imprisoned and taken to Windhoek, where they were interned in prison camps and used as labourers. Others were probably taken on as servants by German troops.
Eastern Otjiherero-speaking communities also suffered major economic losses. German authorities continued to expropriate cattle, and Leutwein stated that 12,000 head were seized in 1896–97. Some survivors were placed under Samuel Maharero’s authority, while others fled across the border into the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The uprising therefore ended not only in military defeat but in intensified colonial control, displacement, and economic destruction.
XIXᵉ siècle
Eastern Namibia
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
The Khauas Uprising of 1896 was an armed resistance to German colonial expansion in eastern Namibia. Khauas fighters attacked a German patrol and the garrison at Gobabis before retreating with eastern Otjiherero-speaking forces toward Otjunda near Epukiro. The coalition was defeated, after which German authorities executed leaders, displaced Khauas communities, imposed imprisonment and forced labour, and further weakened the economic and political autonomy of eastern pastoral societies.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
The uprising emerged from a deteriorating political and economic situation. German boundary treaties restricted grazing and residence, cattle were confiscated when found beyond the frontier, and communities in the east faced the loss of land and productive resources. Drought intensified these pressures. In March 1896, a group of Khauas launched a surprise assault on a German patrol, beginning an armed conflict that quickly unsettled the colony.
The following month, Khauas forces, probably led by Nicodemus Kavikunua and perhaps Kahimemua, attacked the German garrison at Gobabis. The attack was heavily defeated, with perhaps one hundred African losses and six German losses. Nicodemus withdrew from the fighting, while Kahimemua and the main body of Otjiherero-speakers moved into the veld with the Khauas, evading pursuit until they were found near Epukiro.
At Otjunda, called Sturmfeld by the resisting forces, the coalition fought a hard battle and was defeated. The victorious force included Germans, Basters, followers of Hendrik Witbooi and Samuel Maharero, and two disaffected Mbanderu ovahona. Kahimemua surrendered after his forces suffered severe losses, and Nicodemus Kavikunua entered German custody. Both leaders were imprisoned at Okahandja and executed by firing squad on 12 June 1896.
The defeat did not end the consequences of the uprising. German authorities removed Khauas communities, or people defined as Khauas, from eastern areas. Some were placed under Witbooi’s authority, while many were imprisoned and taken to Windhoek, where they were interned in prison camps and used as labourers. Others were probably taken on as servants by German troops.
Eastern Otjiherero-speaking communities also suffered major economic losses. German authorities continued to expropriate cattle, and Leutwein stated that 12,000 head were seized in 1896–97. Some survivors were placed under Samuel Maharero’s authority, while others fled across the border into the Bechuanaland Protectorate. The uprising therefore ended not only in military defeat but in intensified colonial control, displacement, and economic destruction.
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