Location: The Nama, or Hottentot people, occupy the southern region of the independent country of Namibia, Africa. They are thought to be one of the oldest occupants of Namibia and are closest in origin to the African Bushmen. The Nama live in an area that was formerly known as Namaland, today it is north of Keetmanshoop in the south of Nambia. It is a semi-desert climate, but has grasses and shrubs which make it a good area for raising cattle and other livestock. Nama/Hottentots are one of over ten ethnic groups identified in this country. They currently make up 5% of Namibia’s population of about 1.7 million people.
History: History reports many conflicts over the perception of ownership of land and hunting grounds between the Nama and Herero people. As Germans began to colonize Namibia in 1894, it was the Hottentots and their enemy the Herero, who rebelled and tried to protect their lands. Their efforts were suppressed and the massacre of over 75% of the Herero population was the result of the battle.
Language: Nama/Hottentot people speak a language that is unrelated to any other African language. The Khoisan language that is spoken, is often referred to as a “click language” because many of the words are expressed with unusual clicking sounds. This language is shared with the Bushmen.
Daily Life: Nama/Hottentot people have a culture that is rich in the musical and literary abilities of its people. Traditional music, folk tales, proverbs, and praise poetry have been handed down for generations and form the base for much of their culture. They are known for crafts which include leatherwork, skin karosses and mats, musical instruments (such as reed flutes), jewelry, clay pots, and tortoiseshell powder containers (Sunvil Discovery Africa, 2000). Nama women dress in a Victorian era traditional fashion. In the heat of the African sun, women don long, flowing Victorian gowns and large headdresses. The style of dress was introduced by missionaries in the 1800’s and their influence is still a part of the Nama culture today.
Like the Bushmen, the Hottentots have a hunter-gatherer economy and they consider land as traditional, communal property. Most Nama people work on commercial farms or are traditional stock farmers.
References:
Sunvil Discovery Africa. (1999). Guide On Line-Chapter 3-Nambia. Retrieved June 15, 2000 http://www.sunvil.co.uk/africa/namibia/guidebook/ch03.htm (May 2000).
Nambia. Retrieved June 15, 2000 http://www.africa.com/namibia/ci_his.phtml
Written by: Melanie Hopman