30136 Herero "The ethnic composition of the Kaokoland natives is comprised of closely related Herero-speaking groups resulting, in fact, from relatively recent divisions of the same Herero stock... Out of a total population of 13 000, there are about 5 000 Himba while the Herero, Tjimba-Herero and Ndamuranda, who may be classified with the Herero, number approximately 6 500. The remaining 1 500 are made up of several smaller groups...

According to tradition the Tjimba were in South-west Angola long before the Herero, but because of extended cohabitation, they have now adopted the Herero language as well as various other elements of Herero culture. They have, for example, corresponding matri- and patrilineal clans, the associated stateless political system, patrilineally organised local groups with their sacred fires, etc. The Tjimba are therefore regarded as a related Herero-speaking group which is being progressively assimilated into Himba society...

The Zemba are recognised as a closely related Herero-speaking group, which has its own tribal area in Angola and is there known as the Zimba... Some families have completely adopted the Herero pastoralist culture, and no longer practice the profession of their forebears.

The Kaokoland Thwa reside among the Himba and have adopted the Herero language and culture...

The Zemba and Hakaona are closely related Herero-speaking peoples of South-western Angola...

Their [Thwa's] subsequent extensive dealings with the Himba and Herero eventually resulted in the loss of their original language and culture... Those [Thwa] that reside among the Himba have adopted the Herero language as well as various elements of Herero culture...

[There are] the following eight Herero-speaking groups of Kaokoland: Herero, Tjimba-Herero, Ndamuranda, Himba, Hakaona, Zemba, Tjimba and Thwa."

The ethnic composition of the population is at present approximately as follows: Himba 5 000; Tjimba-Herero 3 500; Herero 3 000; Zemba and Hakaona 500; Thwa 250; Tjimba 150; Others (including 500 Ovambo) 600. The herero-speaking peoples of Kaokoland Off