INVENTORY OF HERITAGE RESOURCES IN THE HARDAP REGION
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PURPOSE OF PROJECT
The National Heritage Council of Namibia has a national mandate of identifying places and objects of heritage significance in the country. In this regard the National heritage council seeks to address the imbalances that are apparent in the national heritage register through identifying heritage places and objects that fit in the broad definition of heritage that was adopted after the National Monuments Act 29 or 1969 was repealed and replaced by the National Heritage Council Act 27 of 2004. The following inventory of cultural and natural heritage sites in the Hardap and Karas Regions was developed in response to the need of updating the national heritage register and including sites and objects whose categories were formerly not catered for in the National Monuments Council Act (1969).
2. METHODOLOGY
2.1 Research Design
Identification of cultural and natural heritage sites in the Hardap and Karas Region followed a combination of methodologies and inclusive approaches which comprised of scoping (the determination of the extent of the site and what may be performed), desktop and archival research, consultations with local communities and field work. A systematic approach that focuses on a particular district at a time will be followed in identifying the heritage sites.
2.2 Desktop Analysis
An in-depth review of existing primary and secondary literature (including unpublished reports, travelogues of early travellers and diaries of missionaries) from southern Namibia was carried out very early in the research. Existing databases from among others, NGO’s, private holdings, the National Museum of Namibia, National Heritage Council and the National Archives of Namibia were consulted.
2.3 Consultation and Fieldwork
Consultations were conducted in order obtain views of local communities and other stakeholders on issues such as values that are attached to possible sites. Stakeholder participation identification of sites was encouraged and performed. The consultants firmly believe that heritage identification should be defined by the local stakeholders. Local historians, private property owners and Traditional Authorities were consulted during the field work season. Thus some of the sites were identified by the local stakeholders while in some cases stakeholder institutions like the Namibia Underwater Federation and the Namibian Scientific Society had the opportunity to suggest possible sites and objects. Fieldwork built on information that was collected through desktop/archival research and consultations.
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3. SCOPING EXERCISE: Heritage Sites in Southern Namibia (Declared National Monuments, According to Vogt, 2004)
From the onset the published list of national heritage sites (monuments) reveals an unfair overconcentration on the built heritage that ultimately forms the colonial heritage of Namibia. Despite the fact that Namibia is endowed with rich natural and cultural heritage sites and objects that are indigenous, the heritage list does not reflect this scenario. The scoping exercise (based on the publication by Vogt) that was done for the Hardap and Karas Regions indicated that even between the two regions there is a huge discrepancy. Out of the 27 declared national monuments between the two regions only 2 are located in the Hardap Region. An analysis of the 25 sites in the Karas region showed that the highest frequency of almost half of the monuments represented historical buildings. If churches and military monuments are added to this category then 68% of the monuments in the Karas region represent the built heritage. Natural, archaeological, geological and botanical heritage is less represented. Graph 1 shows the stark difference in the monuments list between the two regions and Chart 1 shows the frequencies of types of heritage in the Karas Region.
Graph1: Total number of declared monuments in each of the two regions
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Chart 1: Frequency of types of monuments declared in the Karas Region
It is evident from the scoping exercise that the Hardap Region needs more attention in this project since it has only two nationally recognised heritage properties. If Cultural heritage is to be used as a driver for meeting the MDG-F goals through linking the heritage properties to cultural tourism then more sites need to be identified in the region. On the other hand the Karas region needs diversification of the heritage properties on its list. There is too much emphasis on the built heritage at the expense of other natural, cultural and historical heritage properties in the region..
4. CONSTRAINTS
It was noted through this exercise that the over-representation of sites in Karas Region compared to the Hardap Region that was observed in the declared monuments list persists. The fact that the Hardap Region has fewer sites than the Karas Region may be a reflection of many reasons but three are prominent namely: (a) What the local communities consider as heritage; the process of soliciting the views of local communities was participatory and what has been recorded reflects the local communities’ views of what represents their heritage sites and objects. (b) There is a higher probability that the scenarios is indicative of the fact that more activities happened at more sites in the Karas Region in historical times than in the Hardap and more importantly (c) Perhaps it is a reflection of the fact that a project of this magnitude needs many months of fieldwork to collect as much data as possible.
Besides the stakeholders' contribution wide enough literature research was conducted and from that it is important to note that more has been published on the Karas Region than the
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Hardap but this does not preclude the fact that more sites could remain hidden from the public eye in the Hardap region especially those that are on private land.
The following inventory is of proposed sites from the Hardap Region and it begins with brief descriptions of sites from the existing National Heritage list
5. DEACLARED NATIONAL MONUMENTS, HARDAP REGION
Deaclared National Monuments: Hardap Region (After Vogts 2004)
This section presents brief descriptions of the proclaimed sites and objects in the Hardap Region (mainly based on Vogt’s publication „ National Monuments in Namibia“ (2004). Therefore for detailed descriptions please see Vogts 2004. The page numbers for the respective sites and objects are indicated at the end of each brief description in this report. The numbers that are indicated infront of the names of sites or objects are according to Vogts 2004 and they refer to the number of the object or site on the National Heritage List and the their date of proclamation.
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Map of Declared National Heritage Sites in Namibia (Source:2001: iv-v)
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5.1. Monument at Kub
Location: Farm Voigtskub, Mariental District, Hardap Region Category: Military Monument Significance: Historical Status: Permanent Proclamation
Description
This monument was erected to commemorate the battle at Kub that was between the Germans and the Nama in 1904. Unfortunately, according to Voigt (2001:93) very little is known about this monument except that is commemorated the war of anti-colonial resistance of 22 November 1904.
5.2 Cemetery at Nomtsas (50/69)
Location: Farm Nomtsas, Maltahöe District, Hardap Region Category: Historical Cemeteries Significance: Historical Status: Permanent Proclamation
Description
The cemetery at Farm Nomtsas contains graves of German pioneers who are associated with the early colonial endeavours and development of mercantile economy in the territory in areas such as farming and trading. (pp.68-69).
6 PROPOSED NEW SITES AND OBJECTS IN THE HARDAP REGION
6.1 Sam Khubis
Location: Rehoboth District, close to Reitoog approximately 112km South East of Rehoboth, Hardap Region.
Category: Historical, Landscape, Battlefield
Significance: Historical and Memorial
Description
Sam Khubis is a war memorial for the Rehoboth baster community in Namibia. The landscape and its features are part of a memory scape that reminds the Baster community
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INVENTORY OF HERITAGE RESOURCES IN THE HARDAP REGION of their survival during the attacks by the German Soldiers on 8 May in 1915. In 1885 the German colonial administration had signed a Treaty of Protection and Friendship with the Rehoboth basters which in part entailed that the basters would support the Germans in case of war. At the advent of the First World War the German Soldiers in Namibia expected the Rehoboth Basters to take up arms against the advancing South African Soldiers and even to guard the South African prisoners of war that were at Otjiwarongo. When the Basters refused to cooperate with the order to protect the Prisoners of war at Otjiwarongo the German soldiers attacked them. 30 people are said to have died and wounded on the day of the attacks1. Most families who were fleeing from the attacks found refuge in the natural fortification of the hills at Sam Khubis. Although the attacks lasted only one day the Sam Khubis war is etched in the memory of the Baster people and they gather at the site every year to commemorate the event.
Intangible Aspects
The site is associated with rituals and performances that are practiced there every year on the 8th of May during commemorations.
6.2 Hoachanas
Location: Hardap Region, Kalkrand District, 53 Km east of Kalkrand on the C21 road
Category
Historical, Landscape,
Significance
Historical and Memorial, Political
Description
Hoachanas settlement is perhaps more famous for being the place where the Peace Treaty of 1858 took place between the leaders of the Nama and Herero. Several potential heritage sites are distributed in the settlement and if such sites are connected they can form a Hoachanas cultural landscape. The prime focus of the community is the conservation of the historical fountain which was discovered by hunting dogs. The discovery of the fountain led to the development of the settlement around the source of water. The community is developing some tourism project that will be centred on the fountain remains as part of the German Namibia Special Initiative Project. The name of the settlement “Hoachanas” is derived from the shape of the rocks that are found at the fountain. Although the fountain dried in the 1970’s the area serves a catchment for water during the rainy season and thus it
1 See Britz R. G. Lang H & Lampricht C. (1999) a concise History of the Rehoboth Basters until 1990. Windhoek. Klaus Hess Publishers, pp26
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INVENTORY OF HERITAGE RESOURCES IN THE HARDAP REGION is important for the livelihood of the community. In addition to the fountain the community identified the place where the Peace Treaty was signed as a possible heritage site. The community uses the spot during their annual commemorations, on 1 December, whereby they bring a plaque with the names of the leaders that participated in the Treaty. Currently the spot is identified by a white structure that resembles a pulpit where the plaque with the names is placed during the commemorations. There is a monument to the dogs that found the fountain and next to it is the Grave of Kaptein Manase !Noreseb Gamab both of which the community identified as heritage site. In the grave yard there is a memorial to the successive leaders of the Hoachanas, Rooinassie (Red nation), community which was identified as a heritage property as well.
Features
The old fountain (dried), Grave of Kaptein Manase !Noreseb Gamab, Spot where the 1858 peace treaty was signed, foundation ruins of the house of the first Kaptein, the monument to the dogs and the memorial to the successive leaders.
Intangible Aspects
The site is associated with on-going rituals and performances that are practiced there every year on the 1st of December during commemorations.
Significance
Historical, political, associative, social and economic values
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Plaque commemorating the conclusion of the Hoachanas peace treaty
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Monument to the Dogs at Hoachanas
Monument to the successive chief of the Red Nation
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The spot where the Treaty of Hoachanas was concluded
Remains of the fountain at Hoachanas
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6.3 Kai//ganaxab
Location: Hardap Region, north west of Mariental.
Category: Historical, Landscape, Prisoner of War camp
Significance: Historical, political and memorial values
Description
Kai//ganaxab is of significance in the Namibian liberation struggle historiography since it represents tangible evidence of the cruelty and pain that is often associated with the liberation struggle. It is the site of the underground prison where Namibian captives from the Vietnam Camp in Angola were kept after their camp was raided by the South African Defence Forces on 3 may 1978.
The possible heritage site is located approximately 100 metres from the current vocational training centre. It consists of a concrete dungeon that measures 6 metres in length, 2 metres in width and 2 metres in depth. This particular dungeon has a zinc roof that is topped with concrete. There is only one entrance to the dungeon that measures 75cm by 35 cm. Two polyvinyl chloride (pvc) pipes were presumably used for light and ventilation. The second possible dungeon was not built out of concrete but is a pit that could at some point have been roofed with either zinc or asbestos sheets. Some rolls of rusty barbed wire are found in the grass around the two dungeons and possibly these could have been part of the prison too. There is evidence that some dungeons have already been destroyed or altered.
One observation that was made is that there is need for urgent cleaning of the dungeon and securing of the barbed wire. The place is in a general state of neglect despite its important to the history of the Liberation struggle in Namibia
Features
The main feature that were identified at Kai//ganaxab were remains of the old prison which include both movable and immovable heritage properties. These are the four watch towers, the dungeons and the barbed wire near the dungeons.
Significance
Political, historical
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Concrete dungeon at Kai//ganaxab
Rusty barbed wire in the grass at Kai//xanagab
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Watch tower at Kai//ganaxab
6.4 Gibeon
Location: Sites described below are all located in the Gibeon Village
Hardap Region approximately 68 km south of Mariental)
Category Historical, Political, Social Memorial and Natural
Description
6.4:1 Gibeon cemetery
The Gibeon cemetery is situated a few kilometres northwest of the Gibeon village. It is where the Late Deputy Prime Minister and Kaptein Reverend Dr Hendrick Witbooi was laid to rest with a hero’s status on 25 October 2009. On the occasion of his burial the President Pohamba announced that, “Gibeon Cemetery, … will become one of the shrines of the revolutionary historical monuments”2. The cemetery is located along the Fish River which makes it prone to flooding. It is a focal point for the Witbooi clan when they annually re- enact the shooting, wounding and eventual death of the legendary Kaptein Hendrick Witbooi who was one of the leaders that resisted the German colonialism. The annual commemoration takes place at the arena that is situated at the entrance to the cemetery.
2 Statement by His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia on the occasion of the burial of the late Honourable Rev. Dr. Hendrick Witbooi, Gibeon Cemetery, 25 October 2009
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The cemetery is important to the Witbooi clan because there are graves of the Witbooi dynasty including that of Captain Cupido Witbooi, the founder of the Witbooi clan and David Moses Witbooi and that of the late Deputy Prime Minister of the republic of Namibia the Kaptein Reverend Dr Hendrick Witbooi. The late Paulina Witbooi was also laid to rest in this grave yard. She was accorded a hero’s burial.
6.4.2: Gibeon Fountain
The fountain in Gibeon is situated in the valley and was discovered in 1861 by Captain Cupido (Kido) Witbooi !Gamemab who is celebrated as the founder of the Witbooi or //Khowesen clan of the Nama. Captain Cupido Witbooi gave the fountain its Nama name !Goregu-ra-Abes, which means a place where Zebras drink water. Kido Witbooi established a permanent settlement at Gibeon and called it Khaxa-Tsüs. The fountain, viewed as the birth place of the Witbooi clan, is currently fenced off and forms a complex with the once majestically imposing old post office building. The area has been fenced off to protect it from vandalism according to newspaper reports and according to traditional authority sources the fencing is to secure it while aiming at having the fountain and the area around it to be considered a heritage place. Other possible places are the Lutheran church building and the Old Prison.
Graves of the Late Deputy Prime Minister Rev. Dr Hendrick Witbooi Paulina Witbooi in Gibeon cemetery.
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The Fountain at Gibeon
The Evangelical Lutheran Church Emmanuel Congregation at Gibeon
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Old Prison Building at Gibeon
6.5 Lutheran Paulus Church
Location: Rehoboth, Hardap Region
Category: Historical Building
Significance: Historical, Religious
Description
The Lutheran Paulus Church in Rehoboth is one of the earliest buildings in the town and ia undoubtedly one of the most prominent buildings. It was established in 1844 when the Rheinish missionary Kleinshmidt started the mission station n Rehoboth. The church building itself was consecrated in 1908. The Lutheran Paulus Church is built on top of a spring that once served the people of Rehoboth. The spring still supplies water for the church but the community can benefit from it in time of need. The aesthetics of the building itself and the spring make the church and its premises an important heritage resource.
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Lutheran Paulus Church in Rehoboth
6.6 Drierivier archaeological sites
Location: Rehoboth, Hardap Region
Category: Archaeological, Scientific
Significance: Historical, Religious
Description
The site holds evidence of local innovation in metallurgy. It was dated to 1650 AD and has remains of copper mining and smelting such as stone tuyeres, copper prills and copper slag. The site is located along in the Aonob River flood plains. Sandelowsky et al. (2005:344) describe the geology of the area as an “… outcrop of Protezoic metasedimentary and igneous rocks sandwiched between the Damara group (Late Precambrian metasedimentary rocks) and the Nama group (largely unmetamorphosed sedimentary rocks of the late Precambrian/ early Cambrain age)”. In addition Drieriver is important for producing burials under cairns that are evidence of the precolonial occupation of the area by the Khoekhoe. One of the graves is opened and preserved for scientific and educational purposes for visitors. The grave can be declared a national heritage property.
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7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
In preparing this inventory the consultants received a lot of help and advice from various people and organisations. We thank them all. We are grateful to our student assistants Sylvia Umana and Petrus Afrikaner for project coordination, fieldwork and desktop research.
We acknowledge the assistance we received from the various Traditional Authorities and local historians at Hoachanas (Rooinassie), Gibeon (Witbooi), and Vaalgras (Oorlam). The local communities were sincerely enthusiastic about preserving and promoting their heritage. Mr Giel Steenkamp is gratefully acknowledged for his enthusiasm, commitment to conservation and memorable tour of the farm Spitzkoppe Ost.
We acknowledge the assistance we received from the Geological Survey of Namibia (Dr Gabi Schneider and Helke Mocke), Namibia Scientific Society, in particular Mr Gunter von Schumann, Namibia Underwater Federation and the National Museum of Namibia during our data gathering phase. Mr Tjipeuja (Vocational Instructor) of the Kai//ganaxab Vocational Training Centre provided valuable insights about the prison dungeons and we are very thankful for his contribution.
We are also grateful to Mr Akiser Pomuti and his team (Hileni Tilindje Angula, Ndeyapo Kaushiike Gideon and Leonie Moolman) for the project facilitation. Godwin Kornes is thanked heartedly for his willingness to share information and photographs of the some of the sites. We also acknowledge the helpful hints and information about sites around the Rehoboth District that we received from Mr Vonkie Olivier. It is always difficult to list all names of people and organisations that assist in a project of this magnitude, thus if any has been omitted it is not deliberate, we acknowledge them all.
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8. LIST OF REFERENCES
Britz, R, G. Lang H and Lampricht C. 1999. A Concise History of the Rehoboth Basters until 1990. Windhoek. Klaus Hess Publishers. Dierks, K. 1999. Chronology of Namibian history: From pre-colonial times to independent Namibia. Windhoek. Namibia Scientific Society. Hausiku, A. 2003. Witbooi laid to rest. New Era. 3 October 2003. National Monuments Council Act 28 1969. Republic of Namibia. National Heritage Act 27 2004. Republic of Namibia. Statement by His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, President of the Republic of Namibia on the occasion of the burial of the late Honourable Rev. Dr. Hendrick Witbooi, Gibeon Cemetery, 25 October 2009 Miller, D.E., Young, S.M.M., Green, W.A, van der Merwe, N.J. and Sandelowsky, B. 2005. Sourcing the ore from Drierivier copper smelting site in central Namibia, using lead isotope fingerprint. Pp345-346
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