Herero in Botswana

Introduction / History

The Herero people migrated to what is now Namibia in the 1400s. Most still live in Namibia though there are also some who live in Angola and Botswana.

Namibia was colonized by the Germans 1884 and renamed German Southwest Africa. Seeking farm land, the German colonists forced the Hereros off of their traditional herding lands onto reservations. They resisted, and within four years the 80,000 Hereros who lived there were either killed or fled. By the end of the four years only 15,000 Hereros remained. There have been a number of books and movies featuring Herero characters. They have a number of subgroups including the Himbas.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most Herero raise cattle, and the size of their herds determine their wealth. Men are responsible for herding and trading cattle. Women milk the cows, do housework and harvest food from their small gardens. They have goats and sheep, but they are not as important as their cattle. Horses and donkeys are beasts of burden, dogs help them with hunting, and chickens are good for eggs and poultry.

Polygamy, when a man has more than one wife, is common. Ideally a young man will marry a woman from his father’s clan.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Traditionally the Herero people believe in Okuruuo, or holy fire, which links them to their ancestral spirits. Most today are Christian; Catholics, Lutherans or Evangelical. Like most Christianized peoples in southern Africa, the Herero struggle with the lordship of Christ vs. seeking help from their ancestral spirits.

What Are Their Needs?

The Herero people need better medical care. They also need good sources of fresh water for their cattle.

Prayer Points

Pray for them to find ways to get the clean water they need for themselves and their cattle.
Pray for the Herero people to put all their faith in Jesus Christ rather than ancestral spirits.
Pray for Herero disciples to make more disciples.

Text Source:   Joshua Project