Biocultural Community Protocol of the OvaHerero of the Kaokoland in Angola and Namibia

The document outlines the identity, history, and biocultural rights of the OvaHerero of Kaokoland, spanning Namibia and Angola. It details their semi-nomadic pastoralist lifestyle, the spiritual significance of their ancestral lands and the Kunene River, and their traditional governance systems based on the principle of Ubuntu. The protocol identifies threats such as land encroachment, cultural erosion due to modernisation, and climate change, while proposing solutions including the recognition of customary land rights and the implementation of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for developments on their territory.

• The OvaHerero of Kaokoland maintain a semi-nomadic pastoralist way of life centered on animal husbandry, where livestock—specifically cows, goats, and sheep—serve as the primary source of wealth, income, and cultural identity.
• The Kunene (or Cunene) River is a critical spiritual and economic resource, creating seasonal islands that provide essential grazing and cultivation areas during the dry season.
• The community's spiritual life is anchored by the 'Okuruuo' (holy fire) within the homestead, which acts as a link between the living and their ancestors.
• The OvaHerero face significant cultural erosion and loss of traditional knowledge due to modernisation, the influence of Western schooling, and the introduction of religions like Christianity.
• Ancestral territories are threatened by land appropriation, mining, urbanisation, and the establishment of conservancies, the latter of which are criticized for excluding indigenous hunters and ignoring local knowledge.
• Climate change is increasing the vulnerability of the community through more severe droughts, water scarcity, and land degradation, impacting their pastoralist livelihoods.
• The community's governance and decision-making are based on the principle of Ubuntu ('people are people through other people') and require consultation with the Chief and the Chief's council for external initiatives.
• The protocol demands the application of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), ensuring the community is adequately informed and gives explicit consent before any development occurs on their territory.
• The OvaHerero possess a vast system of traditional knowledge regarding flora and fauna, including the medicinal use of plants like the 'Omutendereti' (Shepherds Tree) and the use of animal intestines to predict weather.

APA

Natural Justice (2024). Biocultural Community Protocol of the OvaHerero of the Kaokoland in Angola and Namibia. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/OvaHerero-BCP_English-2024.pdf

Chicago

Natural Justice. Biocultural Community Protocol of the OvaHerero of the Kaokoland in Angola and Namibia. 2024. https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/OvaHerero-BCP_English-2024.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Natural Justice |title=Biocultural Community Protocol of the OvaHerero of the Kaokoland in Angola and Namibia |date=2024 |url=https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/OvaHerero-BCP_English-2024.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{naturaljustice2024biocultural, author = {{Natural Justice}}, title = {{Biocultural Community Protocol of the OvaHerero of the Kaokoland in Angola and Namibia}}, institution = {Natural Justice}, year = {2024}, url = {https://naturaljustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/OvaHerero-BCP_English-2024.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }