Descriptions of the late 1800s landscape in the Ovambo floodplain in north-central Namibia closely match the area's late 1900s appearence, suggesting that little change occured between the pre... Show moreDescriptions of the late 1800s landscape in the Ovambo floodplain in north-central Namibia closely match the area's late 1900s appearence, suggesting that little change occured between the pre-colonial baseline and the postcolonial outcome. Yet, paradoxically, colonial conquest, population pressure, biological invasions, new technology, and economic globalization caused both dramatic deforestation and reforestation in less than a century. The paradox stems from the fact that the prevailing global environmental models obscure and homogenize the process of environmental change: different and contradictory interpretations are dismissed as alternative readings or misreadings of the same process. Deforestation and reforestation in Namibia, however argues that the paradox highlights the need to reframe environmental change as plural processes occuring along multiple trajectories that may be dissynchronized and asymmetrical. Show less
The central tenets of this paper are that genocide and crimes against humanity are learnt practice, and that the seeds of the genocides that occurred in Namibia between 1904 and 1908 were sown in... Show moreThe central tenets of this paper are that genocide and crimes against humanity are learnt practice, and that the seeds of the genocides that occurred in Namibia between 1904 and 1908 were sown in the Congo in the late 19th century. The paper argues that the violence perpetrated by German officers in the service of the Belgian King Leopold in the Congo Free State was formative for the manner in which German colonial forces came to wage war in Tanzania, Namibia and China. In addition it argues that this violence was qualitatively different there where it could be and was checked by the intervention of civil society. [Book abstract, edited] Show less
Based on archival research, this book deals with the mass killings of peoples (particularly Herero and Nama) and conquest of land by German colonial forces between 1904-1908 in what was then known... Show moreBased on archival research, this book deals with the mass killings of peoples (particularly Herero and Nama) and conquest of land by German colonial forces between 1904-1908 in what was then known as German South West Africa (present-day Namibia). Most histories dealing with this Herero-German war at best only make passing reference to concentration camps and the prisoners kept there. The present book retraces the history of the concentration camps, also paying attention to patterns in the way prisoners were treated and what internment in the camps entailed for these people; the history of the Shark Island concentration camp in Lderitz; and the authorities responsible for the concentration camp mortalities. [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
Am 12. Januar 1904 brach in Namibia ein Krieg zwischen der deutschen Kolonialverwaltung und grossen Teilen der lokalen Bevölkerung aus - ein Krieg, der später als Herero-Krieg in die Annalen der... Show moreAm 12. Januar 1904 brach in Namibia ein Krieg zwischen der deutschen Kolonialverwaltung und grossen Teilen der lokalen Bevölkerung aus - ein Krieg, der später als Herero-Krieg in die Annalen der Kolonialgeschichte eingehen sollte. Dieses Kapitel versucht in dichter Beschreibung der Ereignisse unmittelbar vor und nach Ausbruch des Krieges sowie durch die konsequente Durchleuchtung individueller Handlungsrationalität das Augenmerk weg von strukturellen Ursachen des Krieges hin zu unmittelbaren Auslösern der Gewalt zu lenken. Es wird gezeigt, dass der Krieg nicht das Resultat eines länger geplanten Aufstandes der Herero gegen die deutsche Kolonialherrschaft war. Der Krieg war eine unmittelbare Folge der Siedlerparanoia in Verbindung mit der Inkompetenz und Panik eines deutschen Offiziers (Zürn). Fussnoten. [Zusammenfassung ASC Leiden] Show less
Following a brief description of the Herero genocide of 1904/1907, this chapter provides a chronological overview of the way in which the Herero have sought to draw the world's attention to the... Show moreFollowing a brief description of the Herero genocide of 1904/1907, this chapter provides a chronological overview of the way in which the Herero have sought to draw the world's attention to the crimes committed by imperial Germany in Namibia. Calls for recompensation revolve in the end around the issue of German government responsibility. That is, to what extent were the Herero genocide and related atrocities the product of German policy? To what extent were the criminal acts not merely the actions of individuals? Material presented in this chapter shows that the Herero genocide and associated atrocities were indeed officially sanctioned. During the Herero-German war, the German settlers and soldiers carried out a shoot-to-kill policy, conducted extrajudicial killings, established concentration camps, employed forced labour, and in at least two cases, established death camps. After the war, the loss of Herero liberty, land and stock was officially sanctioned in legislation. At no stage after 1904 were any German settlers or soldiers brought to justice for genocidal acts committed in Namibia between 1904 and 1908. Bibliogr., notes [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
Between 1904 and 1908 imperial Germany pursued an active policy of genocide in German South West Africa, present-day Namibia. This chapter analyses the manner in which, during the course of the... Show moreBetween 1904 and 1908 imperial Germany pursued an active policy of genocide in German South West Africa, present-day Namibia. This chapter analyses the manner in which, during the course of the twentieth century, numerous people in varying contexts have sought to use the genocide perpetrated upon the Herero to further their own ends. It charts the manner in which a historical event has come to be deployed for varying and, at times, contradictory interests by German social democrats and English imperialists through to anti-Apartheid activists and postcolonial tribalists. It has been used to strengthen arguments that range from colonial policies through to claims that call for ethnic autonomy and compensation. Notes, ref., sum. [Book abstract] Show less
Between 1904 and 1908 imperial German troops committed genocide in German South West Africa, present-day Namibia. African survivors of the war were cruelly treated, placed in camps and put to work... Show moreBetween 1904 and 1908 imperial German troops committed genocide in German South West Africa, present-day Namibia. African survivors of the war were cruelly treated, placed in camps and put to work as forced labourers. This paper addresses the question of why German soldiers and settlers committed these atrocities. It argues that they were never directly ordered to commit such atrocities; instead, a social space was created in the central and southern Namibia of 1904-1908 in which the atrocities were deemed acceptable. In Germany, the concept of a German Empire with colonies developed to such an extent that it came to be seen as a necessity, a 'natural' destiny of Germany. However, the reality of the colony did not reflect the idealized image of German settlers and soldiers. In addition, events in China had indicated to German soldiers that the transgression of the limits of correct behaviour in a war situation was legitimated by the highest authority, the Kaiser. These factors, combined with the dreadful circumstances in which German volunteers found themselves in Namibia, contributed to the crimes committed. Bibliogr., notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
The colonial conquest of Namibia was extremely brutal. Repressive controls continued in the decades that followed as exemplified by the South African colonial administration's regulation of the... Show moreThe colonial conquest of Namibia was extremely brutal. Repressive controls continued in the decades that followed as exemplified by the South African colonial administration's regulation of the production and consumption of alcohol by the territory's black African inhabitants. Nonetheless, the colonial State's policies were inconsistent and vigorously opposed at every turn by differing sections of the black population. In this chapter, the unlikely alliance of two of the territory's Herero urban groups, the 'Otruppe', illiterate Herero men, and the female 'khari' beer brewers, is examined. During the 1920s and 1930s, they faced the colonial State's attempts to undercut and ultimately eradicate the illicit production of alcohol through the establishment of a Location Advisory Board. In so doing, they were pitted against the colonial State and a newly emerging Herero political elite. The 'angry young men' of the 'Otruppe' and the Herero women brewers proved to be an invincible alliance that managed to evade colonial regulations on alcohol. Bibliogr., notes, ref. [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
This article explores the social impact of the motorcar on the relationship between the colonial State, the mission, and the Herero in Namibia in the period before 1940. It looks at how... Show moreThis article explores the social impact of the motorcar on the relationship between the colonial State, the mission, and the Herero in Namibia in the period before 1940. It looks at how perceptions of space and reality changed, how information regarding these factors and society changed, and how both Herero and European missionaries were affected by, and dealt with, the introduction of the motorcar into their midst. The article disusses the introduction of the motorcar in 1904, the car and South African colonial rule, new legislation regarding the occupation of land and Herero mobility, cars and status, the disadvantages of motor vehicles, cars and farms, the disadvantages of waggons and the use of cars by missionaries. It shows that motor vehicles became an indispensable attribute of colonial rule in Namibia. The introduction of the motorcar led to the development of new hierarchies of power and status. It brought greater mobility and, consequently, contact among people, yet at the same time it led to the loss of contact between the missionaries and large sections of the Namibian population. Includes notes and bibliographical references. [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
This article describes the contested relationship that existed between the Herero and German missionaries in Namibia between 1900 and 1940. It argues that Herero converted to Christianity with... Show moreThis article describes the contested relationship that existed between the Herero and German missionaries in Namibia between 1900 and 1940. It argues that Herero converted to Christianity with specific aims and intentions, which were not necessarily the same as those envisaged or intended by German missionaries. In taking on aspects of the modern world, through the mediation of the mission, the Herero came into conflict with the missionaries, especially in terms of their usage of particular skills, beliefs, attitudes and activities. Focusing on music and marching bands on the one hand, and funeral rites on the other, the article shows that specific forms of music, dress, and behaviour acquired by the Herero from the Lutheran mission were often transformed in ways that were considered unacceptable by the missionaries. Although the missionaries hoped to influence the everyday life of the Herero in such a manner as to conform to their ideas of what the modern world should be, in the end the Herero sought to live their lives on their own terms and on the basis of what they considered to be modernity. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum Show less
This chapter reviews the history of anthropology in Namibia, focusing on the work of Guenther Kurt F. Wagner, who was appointed as Assistant Government Anthropologist for South West Africa in 1949... Show moreThis chapter reviews the history of anthropology in Namibia, focusing on the work of Guenther Kurt F. Wagner, who was appointed as Assistant Government Anthropologist for South West Africa in 1949. Wagner's unpublished work, 'Ethnographic survey of the Windhoek district' (1951), shows that Windhoek was not occupied by antagonistic tribes in the 1950s. The study echoes Brigitte Lau's work on southern Namibia which, in contrast to the work of Heinrich Vedder, argues for an understanding of Namibian history which emphasizes cooperation instead of conflict. A new look at Wagner's work shows that in the urban area of Windhoek in the 1950s, there was more unity among the city's black inhabitants than an initial glance would seem to imply. Wagner's work is of particular relevance in Namibia today, where ethnic tension appears to be on the increase. An African Renaissance will be impossible if ethnic tensions do no decrease. Bibliogr., notes. [ASC Leiden abstract] Show less
This chapter examines what democratic transition in the 1990s has meant for women in southern Africa. It focuses in particular on the impact of democratization processes on political participation... Show moreThis chapter examines what democratic transition in the 1990s has meant for women in southern Africa. It focuses in particular on the impact of democratization processes on political participation by women, notably women's representation in parliament in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. This is compared with developments in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, where the introduction of multiparty elections has generally resulted in women's marginalization in parliament. Comparison of the representation of women in parliament in the SADC region under the one-party State and after the democratic transition reveals that the tendency is towards better representation of women. Factors impacting on the representation of women in politics include a country's state of development, the quota system, women's pressure groups, and electoral systems. Linking the UNDP's gender-related development index (1998) to the representation in parliament-index, the author concludes that there is no visible relationship between women's representation in parliament and the quality of life for women in southern Africa. Notes, ref Show less
The papers brought together in this volume were originally presented at a symposium on the culture, history and economy of the Otjiherero-speaking people - the Herero and the Himba - of Namibia,... Show moreThe papers brought together in this volume were originally presented at a symposium on the culture, history and economy of the Otjiherero-speaking people - the Herero and the Himba - of Namibia, which was held in Siegberg, Germany, in September 1997. The papers are grouped in five parts: The emergence of pastoral strategies and social developments in southwestern Africa (contributions by Andrew B. Smith, Thomas Frank, Tilman Lenssen-Erz and Wilhelm J.G. M”hlig) - Formations and transformations of pastoral societies (Dag Henrichsen, Jan-Bart Gewald, Hildi Hendrickson, Wolfgang Werner) - The economic organization of livestock husbandry in the 20th century (Michael Bollig, Itaru Ohta, Ute Stahl, Giorgio Miescher) - Conceptualizations of environment and society (Steven van Wolputte, Andreas E. Eckl, David Crandall, Christofer W„rnl”f) - Maintaining pastoral identities on the periphery (Jeremy Silvester, Thomas Widlok, Ruy Duarte de Carvalho). The papers are preceded by an introduction on the transformations of pastoral society in Namibia by Michael Bollig and Jan-Bart Gewald. Show less
The papers brought together in this volume were originally presented at a symposium on the culture, history and economy of the Otjiherero-speaking people - the Herero and the Himba - of Namibia,... Show moreThe papers brought together in this volume were originally presented at a symposium on the culture, history and economy of the Otjiherero-speaking people - the Herero and the Himba - of Namibia, which was held in Siegberg, Germany, in September 1997. The papers are grouped in five parts: The emergence of pastoral strategies and social developments in southwestern Africa (contributions by Andrew B. Smith, Thomas Frank, Tilman Lenssen-Erz and Wilhelm J.G. M”hlig) - Formations and transformations of pastoral societies (Dag Henrichsen, Jan-Bart Gewald, Hildi Hendrickson, Wolfgang Werner) - The economic organization of livestock husbandry in the 20th century (Michael Bollig, Itaru Ohta, Ute Stahl, Giorgio Miescher) - Conceptualizations of environment and society (Steven van Wolputte, Andreas E. Eckl, David Crandall, Christofer W„rnl”f) - Maintaining pastoral identities on the periphery (Jeremy Silvester, Thomas Widlok, Ruy Duarte de Carvalho). The papers are preceded by an introduction on the transformations of pastoral society in Namibia by Michael Bollig and Jan-Bart Gewald Show less
This article suggests how oral histories can retain memories of important aspects of the past which have been totally ignored in contemporary accounts or later historical studies. It shows that in... Show moreThis article suggests how oral histories can retain memories of important aspects of the past which have been totally ignored in contemporary accounts or later historical studies. It shows that in Herero oral history in northeastern Namibia, the phrase 'Ondjira ja Korusuvero' (The Road of Love, or rather, The Road of the Man called Love), which refers to the export of labour to the South African mines, is central to an understanding of the origins of the Herero-German war (1904-1908). Similarly, in Herero oral history in northwestern Botswana, 'Ekutu ra Sero' (The Sack of Sero) refers to labour recruitment to the mines in South Africa, as well as to social circumstances in the immediate aftermath of the war. The article discusses the validity of the arguments presented in these oral histories and presents archival material that substantiates Herero oral accounts of the origins of the war. It argues that Herero oral histories offer a sophisticated analysis of the causes and the impact of the war. Notes, ref., sum Show less
Herero society in Namibia continually draws from a bundle of loose characteristics - related to behaviour, clothing, ritual, food, or other things - which are combined in various ways to form... Show moreHerero society in Namibia continually draws from a bundle of loose characteristics - related to behaviour, clothing, ritual, food, or other things - which are combined in various ways to form stereotypes of what is considered to be 'Herero'. One of the occasions where unconnected characteristics come to be grouped together into what is defined as typically Herero is the annual Herero commemorations of the dead. This article discusses the way in which these ceremonies construct and proclaim an ideal type of Herero society. It gives a description of the 'Otjigreenie' ceremony held at Okaseta on 17 and 18 August 1991, as observed by the author, outlines the history of these commemoration ceremonies, sketches the involvement of the Herero in informal ethnographic endeavours regarding their culture and society, and describes what appear to be some of the essential features of the Herero commemoration ceremonies. The article shows that the commemorations serve a threefold function: they allow Herero society to process and overcome traumatic events of the past; they lay claims to the land; and they are a site where, through performance, an ideal type of a united and harmonious Herero society is presented. Show less
In January 1904 the 'Onjembo', the Herero-German war, broke out. During the course of seven months the Herero were driven back from their ancestral homes and lands and forced to retreat into the... Show moreIn January 1904 the 'Onjembo', the Herero-German war, broke out. During the course of seven months the Herero were driven back from their ancestral homes and lands and forced to retreat into the northeastern reaches of the then German colony of South West Africa, the present-day Republic of Namibia. Following their defeat at Hamakari in August 1904, the surviving Herero were driven northeastward into the Omaheke region of the Kalahari desert basin. Prior to the battle of Hamakari German commanders had already received requests from settlers for the allocation, for labour purposes, of a number of the prisoners of war which they were expected to make. The German 'Reichskanzler' recommended that missionaries be asked to encourage the Herero to surrender and that those Herero who surrendered were "to be placed in concentration camps in various parts of the country where, under guard, they could then be used for labour". The prisoners were used by both military and civilian enterprises for a wide range of activities. In 1908 the camps were abolished and henceforth the former prisoners of war were subjected to stringent labour and pass laws. Show less
