The Kavango people reside in the Kavango region of Northern Namibia on the

Angolan border along the Kavango River, which is named after them.  The river is
pivotal to their survival and they grow crops on the narrow strip of fertile soil
alongside it, graze their cattle on the flood plains, fish the river extensively and hunt
the wild animals that live there.
They are mainly riverine living people, but about 20% reside in the dry inland. Their
livelihood is based on fishery, livestock-keeping and cropping (mainly pearl millet).
The Kavango Region of Namibia is named after the people.

Five tribal groups, each headed by a king, can be distinguished amongst the
Kavango and these kingdoms are further grouped into clans and matrilineal family
groups. 

Male and female roles are traditional with the men doing the hard labour and caring
for the cattle.  Cattle are highly valued as a status symbol and are used for milk,
meat, hides and ploughing as well as rituals and animal sacrifices. The women
weave baskets and make clay pots and ornaments, which they sell to visitors with
grinning enthusiasm. 

Traditionally the Kavango believe in one Supreme Being, Nyambi, and his
cooperation is secured via prayers and sacrifices to the ancestors, and by adhering
to a wide range of religious prohibitions e.g. food taboos, incest taboos and various
other proscriptions.  Magic plays an important part in the everyday lives of the
Kavango people and diviners and medicine men are highly respected even though
most of the Kavango now practice Christianity.

The Kavango people’s houses are built entirely of natural materials like tree
branches, reeds and grass.

The Kavango people do not wear normal clothes like us here in the capital, they
wear traditional clothes namely made of leather that’s been cured with mangetti nut
oil. The woman wear skirts made of grass and/or reed like material. The women also
wear wigs made of red braids on their heads.

The Kavango people love to sing and dance. They stand in a semi-circle and play
their traditional instruments like self-made drums and dance together.