Browsing by Author "Ilunga, Ndapewoshali Ndahafa"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Reading material culture to construct a history of trade and self-governance between Oukwanyama and its neighbours in the nineteenth century (1801 – 1900)
    (University of Namibia, 2025) Ilunga, Ndapewoshali Ndahafa; Gwasira, Goodman
    For the Oukwanyama and other Kingdoms, the Berlin Conference (1884-1885) resulted in restricted trade and movement within Kingdoms which were divided into different colonial territories. This research attempted to identify and document the items most traded between the Ovakwanyama and their neighbours and how trade patterns changed during the nineteenth century; to evaluate and document how some materials and cultural objects were valued as status symbols and whether this was due to the skills needed for their manufacture, the rarity of the materials used or the ritual significance of the material culture, to investigate and document the sources of the items traded and finally, to establish and document the trade routes and the evolution thereof. The examination of material culture sought to provide evidence of regular interaction and trade between the communities. The research, which was framed by the theories of Afrocentrism, Postcolonial Theory and Decoloniality, was carried out using the qualitative research method while combining various research instruments which included an analysis of archival documents, semi-structured interviews and the examination of cultural objects. Although it is common to study trade patterns and movements of tangible materials, which this research found to be amongst others, copper, beads, shells and even people, this research also examined the trade of intangible assets such as ideas, knowledge, and processes such as smithing and jewellery-making. Finally, the prevalent trade items were contingent on the specific period within the nineteenth century, colonial borders, regulations, and accessibility, which influenced aspects such as the demands of the community, the nature of items or concepts being traded, and the trade routes themselves