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AEGIS European Conference on African Studies
11 - 14 July 2007
African Studies Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
Grappling with the memory of genocide in Namibia
| Panel |
13. Memory and Heritage in Post-conflict Societies
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| Paper ID | 364 |
| Author(s) |
Foerster, Larissa
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| Paper |
No paper submitted
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| Abstract | Colonialism deeply affected African societies. Colonial wars destroyed economic, social and cultural ties and left African societies traumatised. One example for this is the genocidal war against Herero and Nama in Namibia 1904-1908. It is estimated that up to 50 % of the Herero were killed by the German colonial forces, and the survivors were deprived of nearly all individual and collective rights to a self-determined social and economic existence. However, in the aftermath of the war Herero developped a memory culture that served as a means of reconstructing society. In this context the social network of otjiserandu (Truppenspieler) and the ritual practice of omazemburukiro (commemoration) were vital. Both are considered a central part of Herero tradition and cultural heritage even today. In 2004 they were at the heart of activities by which Herero commemorated the centenary of the outbreak of the colonial war and the genocide. Commemorative rituals served as a means of self-reflection as well as of reflection of the broader social and economic context of the Namibian nation state. Traumatic experiences were reworked in different ways. Particularly central were the presentation of oral tradition on the war and on pre-colonial Herero society as well as the identification of heritage sites where the history of war and genocide could be remembered and / or made visible to in- and outsiders. The so-called Ohamakari Battle Commemoration can be considered as a climax of the centenary: An estimated 5000-10.000 Herero-speaking Namibians gathered in order to comemmorate the genocide. This event can be considered as one of the biggest come-togethers of Herero society since the war of 1904-1908. It was characterised by strong internal dynamics and conflict, which shed light on how Herero society has been grappling with the process of restoration and re-engagement with the future since colonial times. |
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