Describes the manner in which the Herero of Namibia struggled to maintain control over their own freedom in the face of advancing German colonial control. 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 missionaryactivity. 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 - thecatalyst that brought the disparate groups of Herero together to establish a single unitary Herero identity. North America: Ohio U Press
Reviews
This strikes me as an absolutely brilliant book. It is wonderfully readable, profoundly fascinating, and admirably scholarly. It should appeal not only to the great and rising generation of historians of southern Africa, but also to historians with much wider interests. Namibia has a peculiarly distinctive appeal for being both part of the tradition of South African history, and also distinctive from that tradition ... To a reader who is not an expert on Namibia the book is elegantly illuminating. -- David Birmingham, Professor of Modern History, University of Kent at Canterbury
... an exceptional contribution to Herero historicity... demonstrates a qualitative approach to the sensibilities and aspirations of the Herero leadership in this most poignant epoch of their history. -- Lawrence Flint * AFRICAN AFFAIRS *
What a splendid monograph Gewald has given us! -- Kenneth Wilburn * AFRICAN STUDIES REVIEW *



Book Information
ISBN 9780852557495
Author Jan-Bart Gewald
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint James Currey
Publisher James Currey