Kavango people

TheKavango people, also known as thevaKavango orhaKavango, are aBantu ethnic group that resides on theNamibian side of the Namibian–Angolan border^{[citation needed]} along theKavango River. They are mainly riverine living people, but about 20% reside in the dry inland. Their livelihood is based onfishery,livestock-keeping and cropping (mainlypearl millet). TheKavango Region of Namibia is named after the people.

Intraditional politics they are divided into five kingdoms (Kwangali,Mbunza,Shambyu,Gciriku andMbukushu), each headed by ahompa orfumu, both meaning "king". Traditional law is still in use and legitimized by theNamibian constitution. The Kavango people arematrilinear. The most common language spoken isRuKwangali (inKwangali andMbunza territory); also spoken areShambyu,Gciriku, andMbukushu in the corresponding territories. Their religion is mainlyChristian although traditional elements still have a place. During the harvest season in April the vakwangali people eat (mafumpura) a tuber like plant which is dug from the soil when it starts to crack. Their kitchens are built outside houses which they call (masuga) the roof of this kitchen is mainly thatch. Their staple food is pearl millet porridge. Pearl millet is also used by them to make a fermented drink.

The extended family concept

edit

Ekoro is a very important social relation inkinship systems of Kavango. It may be roughly referred to as anextended family, but it is more than that. It is a social relation dominantly rooted inclan and it is not necessarily determined by blood connections. The clans are ranked according to seniority, and whoever belongs to a junior clan (irrespective of age) is deemed young by those in the senior clan. There is a command of respect and high level of obedience towards the senior clan. Other people can also become clan members by seekingallegiance due to various unifying circumstances such as floods or war.^[1]