Kavango
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 or sometimes referred to as Rumanyo and Mbukushu in the corresponding territories.
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. Kimbundus and Chimbundus are also some of the Angolan tribes that migrated to the Kavango region during the Angolan civil war. Also many san people live in the kavango region. They are the oldest inhabitants of the country.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- 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
- WAYITI ( Additions on the tribes that migrated from Angola and added another name for Rugciriku - one of the spoken languages in the kavango region)
