History of the female chiefs of the Shambyu tribe (Kavangoland)

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Periodical article

Title:	History of the female chiefs of the Shambyu tribe (Kavangoland)
Author:	Fisch, Maria
Year:	1999
Periodical:	Journal - Namibia Scientific Society (ISSN 1018-7677)
Volume:	47
Pages:	109-120
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs., ills.
Geographic terms:	Namibia Southern Africa
Subjects:	Sambyu women rulers matriarchy Cultural Roles History, Archaeology Sambyu (African people) Matrilineal kinship Kavango (Namibia) women Mwengere, d. 1987
About person:	Maria Mwengere (1940-1987)
Abstract:	The Bantu tribes of Kavangoland (Namibia) have a matrilineal system of inheritance and succession, which allows female members of the royal clan to succeed to the throne. This article deals with the exceptionally eventful history of the Shambyu, whose tribal territory lies east of Rundu. The emphasis is on the family history of the Chieftainess Maria Mwengere, who ruled over her tribe for 47 years (1940-1987). Radical political and social changes occurred during her reign. Her mother's generation was confronted with considerable political unrest. Repeatedly, part of the tribe and once the whole population, had to leave their homeland. Many descendants of the refugees are still living in Botswana, Zambia and Angola. The vacuum has been filled by foreign groups from Angola who now make up almost half of the tribe. Bibliogr., sum. in English and German. [Journal abstract]