Who Are the Kavango?
The Kavango (Vakavango) are Bantu-speaking peoples inhabiting the Okavango River basin in northeastern Namibia and northwestern Botswana, with related populations in Angola. Numbering approximately 200,000-250,000 in Namibia, they comprise five main groups: the Kwangali, Mbunza, Shambyu, Gciriku (Diriku), and Mbukushu (whose main population is in Botswana). Each group has its own dialect and traditional kingdom. The Okavango River, one of southern Africa's great waterways, defines Kavango life, providing fish, water for agriculture, and transportation. The river eventually flows into Botswana's Okavango Delta, but the upstream Kavango peoples have long utilized its bounty.
River Economy
The Okavango River shapes Kavango culture and economy. Fishing has always been important; men use dugout canoes (mikoro), nets, and traps to catch various species. Women traditionally controlled fishing in shallow waters. The river provides water for irrigated agriculture along its banks; crops include maize, millet, sorghum, and vegetables. Beyond the river's reach, dryland farming depends on rainfall. Cattle and goats are kept, though less central than among pastoralist neighbors. The riverine environment supports diverse wildlife; hunting supplemented diets. Trading networks linked Kavango peoples to Portuguese Angola and other regions. This river-based economy distinguishes the Kavango from the drier-land Ovambo to the west and desert San to the south.
Woodcarving Tradition
Kavango peoples are renowned throughout Namibia for their woodcarving tradition. Carvers produce masks, figurines, animals, utensils, and decorative items from local hardwoods. Styles vary between groups; the Mbukushu and Kwangali are particularly noted for carving. Traditional items served ceremonial and practical purposes; masks were used in initiation and other rituals. Today, woodcarving has become a significant commercial activity; Kavango carvings are sold throughout Namibia and exported internationally. Roadside markets along the Trans-Caprivi Highway display carved works. This craft provides income for many families while transmitting artistic traditions. Art centers and cooperatives support carvers and help maintain quality.
Contemporary Kavango
Modern Kavango peoples face both opportunities and challenges. The Kavango regions are among Namibia's least developed, with high poverty rates. The Angolan civil war (1975-2002) created refugee flows and security concerns. Cross-border connections with Angolan relatives have resumed since peace. Education has expanded; Kavango languages are used in schools alongside English. Christianity is widespread. Traditional kingdoms retain ceremonial authority. Tourism, particularly to the Okavango Delta (mainly accessed through Botswana), offers economic potential; Namibia's Bwabwata National Park borders Kavango areas. Development of the Okavango basin raises water-use concerns affecting downstream users. The Kavango demonstrate how river-dependent peoples navigate development while maintaining connections to their aquatic heritage.
References
- Fisch, M. (1999). The Kavango Peoples
- Mendelsohn, J. & el Obeid, S. (2004). Okavango River: The Flow of a Lifeline
- Gibson, G. D. (1981). Kavango Traditional Social Structure