Herero
Legend has it that the Herero once
left 'a country of many mountains'. They came to a leadwood tree
where the two leaders, Kathu, and his brother Nangombe decided to
part ways. Kathu trekked north, while Nangombe stayed in Namibia
to establish the Herero nation. The word Herero may be derived from
okuhera, meaning 'to throw an
assegai'. Indeed they were a fearless and warlike nation, taking
on the might of the German empire in 1904.
The Herero are unique among southern
Africa's indigenous people to recognize their descent from both
the mother's and father's families. Residence, religion and authority
are taken from the father's line, while the economy and inheritance
of wealth is passed on via the mother's clan.
The Herero believe in a Supreme Being,
called Omukuru, the Great One, or Njambi Karunga. Like the Himba
they also have a holy, ritual fire which symbolizes life, prosperity
and fertility to them. However, the majority have been converted
to Christianity, although the Herero church, the Oruuano, combines
Christian dogma with ancestor worship and magical practices.
Traditionally, they are nomadic
pastoralists. There is no private ownership of cattle, since they
belong to the lineage of the mother's tribe. An heir is expected
to share his inheritance with his brother's and the sons of his
mother's younger sisters. He must also now take care of the wives
and children of the deceased. However, like so much else, this system
is also changing and today more children inherit cattle from their
dead father.
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