Heritage Sites in Ohangwena Region & possible
museum themes – Lovisa Nampala & Jeremy Silvester
(Museums Association of Namibia)
Introduction
The `Heritage Hunt’ is a campaign being run by the Museums Association of Namibia. It
was launched in August, 2005 with a public awareness campaign that included the
distribution of posters, brochures and postcards. The aim of the campaign is to encourage
people to suggest places in their community that they feel are important for historical,
cultural or environmental reasons. The project seeks to produce a list of sites in each of
the thirteen regions in Namibia. The information will be provided to Regional Councils
to help them with the planning of heritage development in their region (and the possible
nomination of selected sites to be added to the inventory of `National Heritage Sites’
being drawn up by the National Heritage Council). It is hoped that the information will
also, eventually, be used to produce a series of educational publications for use in schools
which will showcase the variety of important heritage sites that can be found in each of
Namibia’s thirteen regions. One of the aims of the project is to diversify the notion of
heritage (that before indendence tended to focus excessively on buildings dating from the
German colonial period) and to encourage greater recognition of other sites of importance
to local communities.
During the first phase of the project information was gathered in four regions:
Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Oshikoto. A total of 36 potential `heritage sites’ have
so far been suggested by Regional Councillors or community members living in
Ohangwena Region or identified from published sources. When the sites in the other
three regions covered to date are included a total of 155 potential heritage sites have been
suggested in the four regions covered (Omusati - 39, Oshana - 25, Oshikoto - 55). In
order to assist with the location of these sites the list has been divided between the
different constituencies in the region. The list is a dynamic one and is constantly being
updated as new sites are suggested, corrections are suggested to existing listings or new
information about listed sites is obtained. The list provided here is a summary. More
detailed information will be contained in a database which will contain all known
information about a site including the name of the person and/or the publication which
provided the information.
Summary of potential heritage sites suggested to date in
Ohangwena Region.
Eenhana – Hon. Karl Max Shinohamba (SWAPO)
Eenhana
Military base & mass graves (details to be confirmed
once made public).
Ondilinawa
Site of house used for traditional weddings (`efundula’),
still conducted by Tate Lunganda.
Endola – Hon. Ruth Kepawa Nhinda (SWAPO)
Endola
Site of house of `Kahumba kaNdola’, Eliaser Tuhadeleni
one of the founding members of OPO (and later SWAPO)
in northern Namibia. The site where the first guerilla unit
sent into Namibia was living in early 1966 before they went
into the bush to establish the first SWAPO military bases in
Namibia.
Epuku
Mass grave. Site of alleged mass grave (details to be
confirmed once made public).
Omwandi gwontala
[`Omwandigontala’ on the map. Alternative spelling
`Omwandi gwontala’. A tree on the left of the road from
Ondangwa to Oshikango, just before you reach
Iindangungu]. The tree was the traditional place where the
kings of Ondonga and Oukwanyama would meet for
negotiations.
Onekwaya
[`Onekuaja’ on the map?]. Anglican parish where Father
Theophilus Hamutumbangela worked as a priest [Is the
church where he preached still there ?]
Ongha
Mass Grave. Alleged site of mass grave of PLAN fighters
(details still to be confirmed).
Engela – Hon. Nghidinihamba Ndilula (SWAPO)
Ohaingu
Site of a unique traditional homestead that should be
protected that served as the home and court of a number of
significant Kwanyama leaders who were also buried at the
site, namely Kamuluka Muyelele and Vilho Uejulu.
Omusati gwo Shidingo.
The trunk of this tree resembles Ondjupa (a gourd that
contains cow’s milk). The tree is found at Engela village.
In the past, it was a taboo for the Kings of Uukwanyama to
visit Engela as it was believed that this tree was associated
with evil spirits and the king would die should he visit the
village where the tree is located.
Ondeshifiilwa
Battlefield. Site of fight between South African forces and
PLAN combatants in April, 1989 that left 13 PLAN
fighters dead. A monument was erected on the site and
officially opened on 27th April, 1996.
Epembe – Hon. Johannes Nakwafila (SWAPO)
Alufandeka
[Not shown on map. Site is near `Omwi’, also not shown
on map. Need to confirm whether this is `Omvii’ in this
constituency]. Site of battle between South African forces
and PLAN fighters in February, 1976.
Elundu
Site of South African base used by 32 `Buffalo’ Battalion.
It was during an attack on this base in March, 1978 that the
high profile South African PoW, Johan van der Mescht,
was captured.
Ohangwena – Hon. Usko Nghaamwa (SWAPO)
Epuku
Site of a mass grave from the liberation struggle (more
details to be provided once made public)
Ohangwena.
Ponhofi Secondary School. It is said that this is the
school where the school boycott led by NANSO started in
June, 1988.
Okakwa
The Omukwa tree (more details to be obtained).
Omhedi
The palace of the recently installed Kwanyama Ohamba,
Mwadinomho Nelumbu, has been built here along
traditional lines. A short walk away (at Oshalembe ?) there
is a large fig tree which used to be situated in the home of
the powerful elenga, Ndjukuma ya Shilengifa. He was the
most powerful elenga in southern Oukwanyama during
Mandume’s reign. He died in 1935 and his grave can still
be found under the fig tree. Nearby one also finds the
grave of the influential elenga Nehemia Shovaleka.
Omedi
Kwanyama Royal Graveyard. Plans have been made to
create a royal graveyard on the site where the late
Kwanyama King Mwetupunga Shelungu is buried. It is
proposed that senior Kwanyama leaders in Namibia will be
buried at this site.
Onaame
The site where General Kalola kaShihetekela, the
commander of the army of King Mandume ya Ndemufayo
is buried.
Otunganga
Reported site of major battle during the liberation struggle
[details need to be confirmed]
Okongo – Hon. Paulus Mwahanyekange (SWAPO)
Okawe
Site of battle between Nama and Kwanyama forces during
the reign of King Mweshipandeka (1862-1885).
Okongo
Army Base. The base was used as a detention centre for
captured PLAN combatants during the liberation struggle
and the steel remains can still be seen.
Omulonga – Hon. Anna Kufu (SWAPO)
Omundaungilo – Hon. Festus Ikanda (SWAPO)
Epinga
[Name on map is `Epinge’]. South African base attacked
on, at least two occasions (August, 1975 and October,
1978) by PLAN fighters.
Omutse gwondjamba
[Name on map is `Omutwewondjaba’]. Border post
manned by Ovambo `Home Guard’ attacked by PLAN
combatants in August, 1975.
Ondobe – Hon. Mandume Pohamba (SWAPO)
Ohamaala
The grave site of General Naholo daHaivinga. Naholo
daHaivinga was the General who first commanded the
troops of Mandume ya Ndemufayo against the Portuguese
invasion of Oukwanyama at the battle of Omongwa in
1915.
Ombalamumbwenge
[`Ombala ya Mumbwenge’ – `The court of
Mumbwenge’]. The site is believed to have been that of
the palace of the second king of Ondonga, King Shindongo
ShaNamutenya gwaNguti at the end of the seventeenth
century. It is, therefore, strongly associated with the
ancestors and is a sacred site.
Onambutu
Border post manned by Ovambo `Home Guard’ attacked by
PLAN combatants in August, 1975.
Ondobe
The burial site of General Mwadikange yaKaulinge (Rev.
Vilho Kaulinge) who served as one of Mandume ya
Ndemufayo’s military advisers and was in charge of
logistics and supplies for the Kwanyama army during
Mandume’s reign.
Ongenga – Hon. Leonard Shimutwikeni (SWAPO)
Ohaingu
The gravesite of Naukalemo yaWeyulu (Vilho yaWeyulu).
Naukalemo yaWeyulu was a commander in Mandume ya
Ndemufayo’s royal bodyguard and survived the battle of Oihole.
Okahenge.
The village where a large number of PLAN combatants gathered
on 1st April, 1989 and where they were attacked by South African
forces, resulting in a fierce battle. The village still bears the scars
of the battle and the remains of spent cartridges, bullets and other
remains can still be found on the battlefield.
Omungwelume
Mass Grave. Site of major Koevoet base during the liberation
struggle. Alleged site of mass grave of PLAN combatants.
Ondeshifiilwa.
A monument has been erected at this site to mark a mass grave
containing the bodies of 21 PLAN fighters who were killed in
battle in April, 1989.
Ongenga
The gravesite of Haupindi ya Nailenge (Rev. Paulus Nailenge).
Haupindi ya Nailenge was a field commander in Mandume ya
Ndemufayo’s royal bodyguard and survived the battle of Oihole.
Oshikango – Hon. Usco Nambinga (SWAPO)
Enghandja
Mass Grave. Site of possible mass grave (details to be
confirmed).
Odibo.
Odibo.
Onamunama
Graves. A line of eleven (?) graves under a marula tree contain
the bodies of South African soldiers who were killed fighting
against King Mandume ya Ndemufayo on 6th February, 1917. The
soldiers were originally buried near Oihole, but the bodies were
dug up and reburied at Odibo when the Angola-Namibia border
was moved south in 1934.
St. Mary’s Mission. Workplace of Father Theophilus
Hamutumbangela who petitioned the United Nations in 1954 about
the conditions experienced by migrant workers and was an early
nationalist leader.
The place where General Hamukoto waHaileka (Hamukoto
waKapa), Mandume’s Senior Advisor, blew a whistle to mark the
start of the battle of Oihole in 1917.
Cross-border Heritage ?
During discussions with Ohangwena Regional Council in November, 2005 a question
was asked about how the project would deal with sites which were of historical
significance to communities living in Namibia, but which were located in neighbouring
countries. It was suggested that such sites should be listed, but that obviously these sites
would not qualify to be listed as `Namibian’ heritage sites. However, the reason for
compiling a list of these sites would be that this could assist with the planning and
development of `cross-border tourism’.
For example, whilst the most significant sites associated with King Mandume ya
Ndemufayo (such as Ondjiva and Oihole) are on the Angolan side of the border, there
would be an opportunity for an English language museum display on the Namibian side
that would provide an overview of the story. Tourists might then travel to some of the
sites on the Angolan side and then return, via the graves at Odibo to Omhedi where there
might be a display that provides educational displays about Kwanyama culture and
tradition.
Oihole
Residence of Ndjukuma that King Mandume ya
Ndemufayo took over after his defeat by the
Portuguese forces in 1915.
Omikwiyu dha Shaya shaShata.
This is the place where some of King Mandume ya
Ndemufayo’s omalenga secretly left Oihole to
negotiate with the South Africans and British.
Omongwa
Site of major, three day, battle between the
Portuguese and Mandume ya Ndemufayo in 1915.
Ondjiva
Site of the palace of Mandume ya Ndemufayo,
burnt and abandoned in 1915 when Mandume
moved into the `Neutral Zone’.
Onameva
Site of first recognised Kwanyama settlement.
Onehula
Second earliest site of Kwanyama settlement
according to oral tradition. Alleged to be the site
where the emanya lyoshilongo was hidden.
Oshimholo
[`Oshihetekela’] Sacred Kwanyama site (further
research required)