Ethnos

Ovambo

The Ovambo culture is a unique and interesting society. They collectively make up eight kindred tribes, which inhabit Ovamboland in northern Namibia in Africa. They consist of Ondonga, Ukuanyama, Ukuambi, Ongaqndjera, Ukualuthi, Ombalantu, Onkolonkathi and Eunda. The tribe stretches all the way to the border of Angola. The Ovambo people make up the greatest population in Namibia. They migrated south from the upper regions of Zambezi. The reason that they settled in the area where they now live was for the rich soil that is scattered around the Ovomboland. The Ovambos population is roughly 150,000 people.

The Ovambo people have been able to adapt to their land and their environment. They raise cattle, fish in the oshanas, and farming. The Ovambo people are skilled craftsmen. They make and sell basketry, pottery, jewelry, wooden combs, wood iron spears, arrows, richly decorated daggers, musical instruments, and also ivory buttons.

The Ovambo people live a life that is highly influenced by their magico-religious influences. They not only believe in good and evil spirits but also they are influenced by great superstitions. Most members of the Ovambo tribe believe in a supreme spirit, known as Kalunga. This spirit is known to take the form of a man and move invisibly among the people. This spirit is very important to the tribe. When the tribe is visited with a famine or pestilence it is the responsibility of the Kalunga to help the people along. ***