Rulers: Namibia
Traditional polities
Note: All these polities may be more appropriately described as "tribes." They are classified here by ethnicity.
Damara
c.1415 traditional date for emergence of chiefdom
Chiefs
c.1790 Gaoseb
c.1815 Hoeseb
c.1840 Abraham Seibeb
c.1860 - 1894 Abraham Goreseb (b. ... - d. 1894)
1894 - 1910 Cornelius Goreseb (b. 1844 - d. 1910)
1910 - 1953 Judas Goreseb (b. ... - d. 1953)
1953 - 1977 David Goreseb (b. ... - d. 1977)
Sep 1993 - Justus Garoëb (b. 1942)
Nama (Khoi)
(1) Awa-Khoi ("Red Nation")
bf.1700 chiefdom established
Paramount chiefs
1814 - 1824 Tsawub Gamab
1824 - 1840 Na-khom Gamab
1840 - 1867 Oasib Cornelis = Nakhomab
1867 - 21 May 1878 Gorakhab Barnabas
1878 - 1881 Gabeb Petrus
1881 - 1905 Naresib Manasse
1922 - 18 Jul 1936 Hoëb Oasmab (b. ... - d. 1936)
1936 - 8 May 1949 Noach Tsai-Tsaib (b. 1868 - d. 1949)
1949 - 1986 Matheus Kooper (b. ... - d. 1986)
3 Dec 1988 - 27 Jun 2022 Petrus Simon Moses Kooper (b. 1948? - d. 2022)
(2) Aich-Ai ("Afrikaner")
1800 chiefdom established
10 Aug 1889 chiefdom abolished by German protectorate authority
Chiefs
- Afrikaner dynasty -
1800 - 1823 Jager Afrikaner (b. 17... - d. 1823)
1823 - 18 Aug 1861 Jonker Afrikaner
= Hara-mûb = /Hôa-/aramab (b. 1785 - d. 1861)
1861 - 15 Jun 1863 Christian Afrikaner (b. ... - d. 1863)
Aug 1863 - 10 Aug 1889 Jan Jonker Afrikaner (b. 1820 - d. 1889)
10 Sep 1996 - 21 May 2005 Jeremiah Jagger (b. ... - d. 2005)
2005 - 19 Aug 2011 Hendrina Martha Afrikaner (f) (b. 1952 - d. 2011)
17 Dec 2011 - 3 Jul 2013 Isak //Gowaseb (b. 1948 - d. 2013)
23 Jul 2016 - 18 Jun 2021 Eduard Afrikaner (b. 1948? - d. 2021)
(3) !Gami-‡nun ("Bondelswarts")
Chiefs
*1843* Abraham
Mar 1869 - 3 Oct 1901 Wilhelm Christian (b. 18... - d. 1901)
1902 - 25 Oct 1903 Abraham Christian (b. 18... - d. 1903)
1903 - 5 Mar 1910 Johannes Christian (b. ... - d. 1910)
1918 - 1919 Wilhelm Christian junior
1919 - Mar 1920 Hendrik Sneeuwe
Mar 1920 - 1920 Timotheus Beukes
1924 - 1943 Jakobus Christian (b. 1880 - d. 1943)
1943 - 3 Mar 1953 Nathanel Christian (b. ... - d. 1953)
1953 - 1977 Wilhelm Christian
+ Jakobus Christian (councillors)
20 May 1977 - Anna Katrina Christian (f)
(4) Kou Goa ("Swartboois")
Chiefs
... - ... Kanebeb
... - ... Tsauchap
... - 1835 Haobeb
1835 - c.1864 Willem Swartbooi (b. 1790 - d. c.1864)
c.1864 - 1882 Abraham Swartbooi (b. ... - d. 1882)
1882 - 1895 Cornelius Swartbooi
1895 - 1898 David Swartbooi
1986 - Daniël Luipert (b. 1937)
(5) Oorlam
(5-1) Gei-Khauan
Chiefs
1814 - 13 Feb 1864 Amraal Lambert (b. c.1774 - d. 1864)
1865 - 1868 Lambert Lambert
1868 - 8 Mar 1894 Andreas Lambert (b. c.1844 - d. 1894)
1894 - 6 Apr 1896 Eduard Lambert (b. ... - d. 1896)
(5-2) Hei-Khauan
Chiefs
*1815 - c.1850 Dirk Isaak (b. ... - d. c.1850)
c.1850 - 15 Apr 1869 Paul Goliath (b. c.1790 - d. 1869)
1873 - 12 Dec 1892 Jakobus Isaak (b. ... - d. 1892)
1895 - c.1900 Diederik Goliath
c.1900 - 1925 Christian Goliath (b. ... - d. 1925)
1925 - 1933 Andries Goliath (b. ... - d. 1933)
1933 - 1938 Diederik Ruben Goliath (b. 1895 - d. 1947)
1938 - 1956 Edward Isaak, Jr. (b. ... - d. 1959)
+ David Vries (b. ... - d. 1956)
1956 - 1959 Edward Isaak, Jr. (s.a.)
1959 Diederik Isaak
1959 - 197. Diederik Isaak
+ David Christian Goliath (b. ... - d. 1976)
1976 - Stephanus Goliath
(6) !Aman (Bethany)
Chiefs
1804 - c.1825 Kobus Boois = Kobus Frederiks (b. ... - d. c.1825)
c.1825 - c.1842 Josef Frederiks I (b. ... - d. c.1842)
c.1825 - 1846 Jan Boois = Jan Frederiks (b. ... - d. 1846)
1847 - 12 Dec 1880 David Christian Frederiks
= Willem Frederiks = //Nâixab (b. ... - d. 1880)
15 May 1881 - 20 Oct 1893 Josef Frederiks II = !Khorebe-gaib
= //Nâixamab (b. ... - d. 1893)
3 Dec 1893 - 21 Dec 1906 Paul Frederiks (b. ... - d. 1906)
1894 - 3 Mar 1906 Cornelius Frederiks (b. ... - d. 1907)
(in opposition)
1916 - 1922 Eduard Frederiks (b. ... - d. 1922)
1922 - 1938 Josef Frederiks III (b. ... - d. 1938)
1938 - 1977 Simon Boois = Simon Frederiks (b. ... - d. 1977)
1977 - 1984 Jan Samuel Herero
1984 - 12 Jan 2018 David Frederiks (b. 1932 - d. 2018)
(7) Witbooi
1815 Witbooi lineage founds chiefdom in Cape Province
1863 chiefdom moved to Namibia
Chiefs
1815 - 31 Dec 1875 Kido Moses David Witbooi (b. 1780 - d. 1875)
31 Dec 1875 - 22 Feb 1888 Moses Kido Witbooi (b. 1808 - d. 1888)
22 Feb 1888 - 29 Oct 1905 Hendrik Witbooi (b. 1830 - d. 1905)
1905 - 28 Oct 1928 Isaak Witbooi (b. 1865 - d. 1928)
1928 - 9 Jul 1955 David Witbooi (b. 1871 - d. 1955)
1955 - 18 Jan 1978 Hendrik Samuel Witbooi (b. 1906 - d. 1978)
Jul 1978 - 13 Oct 2009 Hendrik Witbooi (b. 1934 - d. 2009)
13 Oct 2009 - 2015 Christian Rooi (acting) (b. ... - d. 2015)
5 Oct 2015 - Salomon Josephat Witbooi (b. 1958?)
15 Aug 2019 - 5 Apr 2022 Hendrik Ismael Witbooi (b. 1972?)
(recognized by Namibian government)
Ovambo
(1) Ondonga
Chiefs (title Ohamba)
c.1750 - c.1820 Nembungu lyAmutundu (b. ... - d. c.1820)
c.1820 - 31 Jul 1857 Nangolo dAmutenya (b. 1790 - d. 1857)
1857 - 1859 Shipanga shAmukwiita (b. ... - d. 1862)
1859 - 7 Nov 1874 Shikongo shaKalulu (b. ... - d. 1874)
1874 - 1883 Kambonde I kaNankwaya (b. ... - d. 1883)
1883 - 26 Sep 1884 Iitana yaNekwiyu (b. ... - d. 1884)
27 Sep 1884 - 22 Jun 1909 Kambonde II kaMpingana (b. c.1865 - d. 1909)
(in western Ondonga)
1884 - Apr 1908 Nehale lya Mpingana (b. ... - d. 1908)
(in eastern Ondonga)
1909 - 1912 Kambonde III kaNgula (b. ... - d. 1912)
1912 - Aug 1942 Martin Nambala yaKadhikwa (b. ... - d. 1942)
1942 - 23 Sep 1960 Kambonde IV kaNamene (b. ... - d. 1960)
1960 - 1967 Martin Ashikoto
1967 - 6 Oct 1970 Paulus Elifas (b. 1920 - d. 1970)
1972 - 16 Aug 1975 Filemon Elifas (b. 1932 - d. 1975)
1975 - 26 Mar 2019 Immanuel Kauluma Elifas (b. 1932? - d. 2019)
14 Apr 2019 - Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo (b. 1974)
(2) Ongandjera
Kings/Queens
1858 - 1862 Amunyela gwa Tshaningwa (b. ... - d. 1862)
1862 Ekandjo lya Kadhila
1862 Nakashwa (f)
1862 - 1878 Tsheya tshUutshona (b. ... - d. 1878)
1878 - 1887 Iiyambo yIileka (b. ... - d. 1887)
1887 - 1930 Tshaanika Tsha Natshilongo (b. ... - d. 1930)
1930 - 1936 Sheya shaAmukwa
1936 - 1948 Tshaanika shIipinge
1971 - 26 Jul 2012 Japhet Malenga Munkundi (b. 1929? - d. 2012)
2012 - Johannes Mupiya (b. 1961?)
(3) Uukwaluudhi
Kings
... - c.1850 Uushona uEndjila
c.1850 - 1902 Shikongo shIipinge (b. ... - d. 1902)
1902 - 1908 Niilenga yAmukwa (b. ... - d. 1908)
1908 - 1909 Iita ya Nalitoke (b. ... - d. 1909)
1909 - 1959 Mwaala gwa Nashilongo (b. ... - d. 1959)
1959 - Hosea Shikongo Taapopi Shitaatala
(4) Uukwambi
Kings
... - 1860 Tshikesho
1860 Tshikongo
1860 - 1862 Nuyoma wIipumbu
1862 - 1863 Iipumbu ya Nangaku
1863 Tshikesho tshEelu (b. ... - d. 1863)
1863 - 1875 Nuyoma
1875 - 1907 Negumbo lya Kandenge (b. ... - d. 1907)
1907 - 1932 Iipumbu ya Tshilongo (b. ... - d. 1959)
1991 - Herman Iipumbu
(5) Uukwangali
Kings/Queens (title hompa)
1785 - 1800 Simbara (f) (b. ... - d. 1800)
1800 - 1818 Mate II (f) (b. ... - d. 1818)
1818 - 1822 Siremo (b. ... - d. 1822)
1822 - 1833 Mpepo (b. ... - d. 1833)
1833 - 1870 Sikongo (b. ... - d. 1870)
1870 - 1880 Mpasi (b. ... - d. 1880)
1880 - 1886 Mpande (f) (b. ... - d. 1886)
1886 - 1910 Himarua (b. ... - d. 1910)
1910 - 1924 Kandjimi Hawanga (b. ... - d. 1924)
1924 - 1926 Mbuna (b. ... - d. 1926)
1926 - 1941 Kanuni (f) (1st time) (b. ... - d. 1971)
1941 - 1958 Sivute (b. ... - d. 1958)
1958 - 1971 Kanuni (f) (2nd time) (s.a.)
1971 - 12 Apr 1977 Mbandu (b. ... - d. 1977)
1977 - 17 Dec 2014 Daniel Sitentu Mpasi (b. 1934 - d. 2014)
25 Apr 2015 - Eugene Siwombe Kudumo (b. 1970?)
(6) Uukwanyama
c.1550 traditional date for emergence of chiefdom
Chiefs (title Ohamba)
1807 - 1811 Hamangulu yaNahambo (b. ... - d. 1811)
c.1811 - 1858 Haimbili yaHaufiku (b. ... - d. 1858)
1858 - 1859 Haikukutu yaShinangola (b. ... - d. 1859)
1859 - 1862 Sefeni shaMukuyu (b. ... - d. 1862)
1862 - 1882 Mweshipandeka sha Shaningika (b. ... - d. 1882)
1882 - 1884 Namadi ya Mweihanyeka (b. ... - d. 1884)
1884 - 1904 Ueyulu ya Hedimbi (b. ... - d. 1904)
1904 - 5 Feb 1911 Nande (b. ... - d. 1911)
1911 - 6 Feb 1917 Mandume ya Ndemufayo (b. c.1894 - d. 1917)
1917 - 1998 vacant
6 Feb 1998 - 2 Nov 2005 Cornelius Mwetupunga Shelungu (b. 1916? - d. 2005)
12 Nov 2005 - Martha Mwadinomho ya Nelumbu (f) (b. 1928?)
Herero
bf.1700 Ovaherero chiefdom established; styled Ehirovaherero
1915 tribe partly exterminated, partly exiled by German
protectorate authority
1 Jun 1925 paramount chief reinstalled
Paramount chiefs (title Okahandja Herero)
c.1750 - ... Mutjise ua Mbunga
17.. - 17.. Tjirue ua Mutjise
17.. - ... Mukuejuva
... - 18.. Mbondo
18.. - 18.. Peraa
18.. - 18.. Ndomo
1842 - Dec 1861 Tjamuaha ua Tjirue (b. c.1790 - d. 1861)
Dec 1861 - 5 Oct 1890 Maharero ua Tjamuaha (b. 1820 - d. 1890)
1891 - 1915 Samuel Maharero (b. 1856 - d. 1923)
(continues in exile to 14 Mar 1923)
1923 - 11 Sep 1952 Frederick Maharero (b. 1875 - d. 1952)
(in exile in Bechuanaland Dec 1924 - 1952)
1 Jun 1925 - 18 Jul 1970 Petrus Hosea Kutako (b. 1870 - d. 1970)
(recognizes Frederick Maharero as paramount chief)
20 Jul 1970 - 27 Mar 1978 Clemens Mutuurunge Kapuuo (b. 1923 - d. 1978)
7 Jun 1978 - 2 Jun 2014 Kuaima Isaac Riruako (b. 1935 - d. 2014)
Jun 2014 - 31 Jul 2014 Fanuel Tumbee Tjombe (acting) (b. 1947 - d. 2014)
22 Sep 2014 - 18 Jun 2021 Vekuii Rukoro (b. 1954 - d. 2021)
22 Jun 2021 - Mutjinde Katjiua (acting)
Baster (Rehoboth)
Captains
1868 - 1905 Hermanus van Wyk (b. 1835 - d. 1905)
1905 - 25 Apr 1924 Cornelius van Wyk (b. ... - d. 1924)
1924 - 1925 Albert Mouton
1979 - 12 Feb 1998 Hans Diergaardt (b. 1927 - d. 1998)
12 Feb 1998 - Jan 1999 Dap Izaaks (acting) (b. 1933 - d. 2005)
Jan 1999 - 3 Oct 2020 John McNab (b. 1938 - d. 2020)
24 Apr 2021 - Jacky Britz (b. 1959)
Fwe (Caprivi Strip)
Chiefs
1863 - 1914 Simata Kabende Mamili (b. 18... - d. 1914)
1914 - 1931 Lifasi Simata Mamili
1931 - 1944 Simata Lifasi Mamili (b. ... - d. 1944)
1944 - 1971 Simasiku Simata Mamili (b. ... - d. 1971)
1971 - 1987 Richard Muhinda Mamili (b. 1932 - d. 1987)
1987 - 1999 Boniface Bebi Mamili (b. 1947?)
1999 - George Simasiku Mamili