We Can Be Hereros

The fiery Herero tribe of southern Namibia, along with the Nama, rebelled against their German oppressors during 1904-1907. Like every other colonial aggressor, the Germans murdered over 65,000 of the 85,000 Hereros, took away their land, livelihood and culture, and interned them to reservations in the same horrendous way the USA treated Native Americans. In fact it is said that this first genocide of the 20th century was a model for the Nazis for the holocaust. 

Today, this agrarian community numbers 250,000 and holds on to their tribal ways, language and culture with pride. And their women are as elegant and fierce as ever. I ran into a few of them, and there’s no doubt who prevailed.