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Ovambo people
Bantu ethnic group in Namibia / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ovambo people (pronounced [ovambo] ⓘ), also called Aawambo, Ambo, Aawambo (Ndonga, Nghandjera, Kwambi, Kwaluudhi, Kolonghadhi, Mbalantu, mbadja), or Ovawambo (Kwanyama), are a Bantu ethnic group native to Southern Africa, primarily modern Namibia. They are the single largest ethnic group in Namibia, accounting for about half of the population.[1] Despite concerted efforts from Christian missionaries to wipe out what were believed to be 'pagan practices', they have retained many aspects of their cultural practices.[3] They are also found in the southern Angolan province of Cunene, where they are more commonly referred to as "Ambo".[4][5] The Ovambo consist of a number of kindred Bantu ethnic tribes who inhabit what was formerly called Ovamboland. In Angola, they are a minority, accounting for about two percent of the total Angolan population.[6]
![]() Ovambo men in the early 20th century | |
Total population | |
---|---|
~2 million | |
Regions with significant populations | |
![]() | ~1.3 million (49.5% of Namibia population)[1][2] |
![]() | 650,000[2] |
Languages | |
Ovambo, English, Portuguese | |
Religion | |
Lutheranism, Traditional religion[2] | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Ovimbundu, Herero and other Bantu peoples |
Ovambo | |
---|---|
Person | Omuwambo |
People | Ovambo |
Language | Oshiwambo |
Country | Ovamboland |
There are about 2 million people of the Ovambo ethnic group, and they are predominantly Lutheran (97%) and traditional faith (3%).[7]