Kavango
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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 livelihood is based on fishery, livestock-keeping and cropping (mainly perlmillet/mahangu). The Kavango Region of Namibia is named after the people.
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.
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[edit] Reference
- Andreas Eckl, "Serving the Kavango Sovereigns' Political Interests. The Beginnings of the Catholic Mission in Northern Namibia", _LFM. Social sciences & missions_, no.14, July 2004, pp.9-46
