Namibia

Abstract

Namibia was first settled by people from the Khoisan language group. The earliest, the nomadic San people, were followed about 2000 years ago by the pastoral Nama, who became dominant in the south. In the 9th century AD the Damara settled the central grasslands (known as Damaraland). Other clans followed and by the 19th century three Bantu peoples were established: the Herero in northeastern and central Namibia (Kaokoland); the Ovambo around the Kunene River in the north; and the Kavango people in the east. In the far east, the Barotse expanded from Zambia to settle the Caprivi Strip while the Tswana (from Botswana) settled the edges of the Kalahari desert.