Herero Heroes: A Socio-Political History of the Herero of Namibia, 1890-1923

by Jan-Bart Gewald

The Herero-German war led to the destruction of Herero society in all of its pre-war facets. Yet Herero society re-emerged, re-organizing itself around the structures and beliefs of the German colonial army and Rhenish missionary activity. Taking advantage of the South African invasion of Namibia in World War I the Herero established themselves in areas of their own choosing. The effective re-occupation of land by the Herero forced the new colonial state, anxious to maintain peace and cut costs, to come to terms with the existence of Herero society. The study ends in 1923 when the death and funeral of Samuel Maherero - first paramount of the Herero and then resistance leader - the catalyst that brought the disparate groups of Herero together to establish a single unitary Herero identity.

Genres: Africa

310 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Steve Mayberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a doctoral thesis, and reads like it. OTOH: amazing and endless detail, all derived from primary sources, and well-argued conclusions against the conventional wisdoms of Herero and Namibian history.

[DaniPhantom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very informative and well-argued book, I would recommend this to anyone who is trying to learn more info about the Herero Genocide in a short period of time.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

In preparation for the next trip to Namibia to follow in the wagon tracks of Palgraves 1876 trip south from Helmringhousen to the Orange River.

[Oscar Oscar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Herero people of Namibia, I had to get into this as there are pressuring issues going on right now in the country.