Oshiwambo language

Oshiwambo or Oshivambo is a cluster of several very closely related languages in Angola and northern Namibia, notably Kwanyama (or Oshikwanyama), Ndonga and Kwambi.

Over half of the people in Namibia speak Oshiwambo, particularly the Owambo. Fact|date=March 2008

History

After Namibia’s independence in 1990, the area previously known as Owamboland was divided into the regions of Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto. The population, estimated at between 700,000 and 750,000 fluctuates remarkably. This is because of the indiscriminate border drawn up by the Portuguese and Germans during colonial rule, which cut through the Kwanyama tribal area, placing some in Owambo, Angola and others in Namibia, which results in regular cross-border movement.Though Oshiwambo is mainly spoken in the Northern regions of Namibia, it is still spoken all over the country. Migrant workers comprise a large part of the population in many towns, particularly in the south, where there are jobs in the mining industry. For example in Lüderitz, a 18 hour drive from Owamboland, at least 50% of the population speads Oshiwambo. So though the origins are localized in the north, Oshiwambo speakers have dispersed, particularly since independence.

Dialects

There are eight dialects in Oshiwambo. The main tribes are the Kwanyama (which means "eaters of meat"), the Ndonga, the Kwambi, the Ngandjera, the Kwaluudhi, the Mbalanthu, the Nkohonkadhi and the Mbadja, who are within the tribal area of the Nkolonkadhi. Each has its own dialect but there are only two written languages, namely, OshiNdonga and OshiKwanyama. These languages are also quite similar to the Herero language.

The Owambo are farmers and cattle breeders. They plant mahango, a type of millet, which is their staple diet. Mahangu is used for brewing beer. Other crops include maize, sorghum, beans, melons and onions. When the floodwaters from Angola fill the low-lying areas (oshonas), fishing becomes an important economic activity. When the waters subside, the cattle graze on the fresh grass. This supplies manure for the gardens cultivated on higher ground between the oshonas. Many are employed in mines, farms and in factories and commercial enterprises. The business environment created by the Europeans triggered entrepreneurial activity amongst them and trading is common. Most families today are involved in some form of retailing activity. Many large wholesale and retail enterprises have developed over the years and a number of businessmen have extended into other areas of Namibia and some have ventured into Angola. The social and cultural evolution which has taken place over the past thirty years has changed much of the traditional way of life and homesteads have given way for more modern suburbs and villages, the old huts being replaced with brick and corrugated iron structures and the agricultural and cattle herding activities moving away to the rural areas. Many traditional villages still exist. Family groups live in homesteads enclosed with wooden pole fences.

External links

* [http://www.panafril10n.org/wikidoc/pmwiki.php/PanAfrLoc/Oshiwambo PanAfrican L10n page on Oshiwambo]