Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index

Kavango

The Kavango people reside on the Namibian side of the Namibian-Angolan border. They are mainly riverine living people, but about 20% reside in the dry inland. Their livelyhood is based on fishery, livestock-keeping and cropping (mainly perlmillet/mahangu).

Politically they are divided into five kingdoms, each headed by a hompa or fumu. Traditional law is still in use and legitimized by the namibian constitution. The Kavango-people are matrilinear.

The most common language spoken is RuKwangali (in Kwangali and Mbunza territory); also spoken are Shambyu, Gciriku and Mbukushu in the corresponding territories. At least RuKwangali is a written language.

Their religion is mainly Christian although traditional elements still have a place.

Following the Angolan civil war, many Angolans (often referred to as Nyemba, which is in fact only one of many Angolan peoples) immigrated to traditional Kavango territory. Also many San/bushmen live amongst the Kavango-people, mainly employed as contract laborours.

External link