Who Are the Damara?
The Damara (≠Nūkhoen, meaning "people who walk on their heels") are an indigenous people of central Namibia, numbering approximately 100,000-150,000. They present a linguistic mystery: the Damara speak Khoekhoegowab, a Khoisan click language identical to that of the Nama, yet physically and culturally they differ from other Khoisan peoples. This has led to theories that the Damara are descended from an ancient population that adopted the Nama language. Historically occupying the mountainous region now called Damaraland, they practiced hunting, gathering, and small-stock herding. Colonial and apartheid policies relegated the Damara to "homelands," and they continue to face marginalization in independent Namibia.
Mysterious Origins
The Damara's origins remain debated. They speak the same language as the Nama (both groups call it Khoekhoegowab), yet the Damara appear physically distinct, with features more similar to Bantu-speaking populations. One theory suggests the Damara are remnants of an ancient population that inhabited southern Africa before both Khoisan expansion and Bantu migrations, later adopting the Nama language. Another theory proposes they are descended from escaped or freed slaves who adopted Nama speech. Oral traditions and genetic studies have not definitively resolved the question. The Damara themselves maintain distinct identity from both Nama and other Namibian groups. This linguistic-physical disjunction makes the Damara significant for understanding southern African population history.
Colonial Subjugation
The Damara suffered extensively under colonialism. Pre-colonial relationships with Nama and Herero groups were often exploitative; Damara were sometimes captured as servants. German colonial rule (1884-1915) brought further dispossession. South African apartheid policies created "Damaraland" as a Bantustan homeland in 1980, concentrating Damara on marginal lands. This "homeland" was never internationally recognized and was reincorporated into Namibia at independence (1990). The Damara were among Namibia's poorest communities; many worked as farm laborers or domestic servants. Unlike the Herero, the Damara did not receive formal acknowledgment of colonial-era abuses despite significant suffering.
Contemporary Damara
Modern Damara are distributed across central Namibia, with significant populations in Windhoek and other urban areas. The former Damaraland region includes spectacular landscapes (the Brandberg, Twyfelfontein rock art) that attract tourism, though benefits rarely reach Damara communities. Communal conservancies provide some opportunities. The Damara language (Khoekhoegowab) is taught in schools and remains widely spoken. Traditional practices, including the Damara punch dance and oral traditions, survive. Political organization exists through traditional authorities and participation in national politics, though Damara remain underrepresented. Economic marginalization persists; education and employment gaps affect many Damara. The community advocates for greater recognition of their specific history and needs within Namibia's diverse society.
References
- Vedder, H. (1928). The Berg Damara
- Widlok, T. (1999). Living on Mangetti: "Bushman" Autonomy and Namibian Independence
- Barnard, A. (1992). Hunters and Herders of Southern Africa