Omuramba
Encyclopedia
An omuramba is a prehistoric river-bed occurring in the Kalahari Desert
of Africa
, notably in the North Eastern part of Namibia
and North Western part of Botswana
. The Kalahari is perhaps the greatest continuous stretch of sand in the world, and would have been classified as a semi-desert rather than a desert, were it not for the lack of any surface water. However, the omiramba provide occasional standing pools of water and more fertility that in the surrounding sand plains. Some omiramba names are: Eiseb, Rietfontein, Epukiro, Omatako. They start in the central parts of Namibia and run into the central parts of Botswana, sometimes being shallow and deeper with cliffs here and there, othertimes being quite wide (3-4 km). The omiramba which were perennial rivers about 16 thousand years ago, now flow only for short distances and only after good rains. Herdsmen love to make their cattle posts in or near the omiramba, so they do not need to use their pumping equipment so often to extract subterranean water, which may be as deep as 300m. Historically, they are known for battles which were fought along their winding courses, notably the Herero-German war in 1904, which ended in a terrible genocide in which 70% of the Herero population was killed, many when fleeing down the omiramba which were then in the dry season and inhospitable. The omiramba were also home to Bushmen
people for as long as anyone can remember.
Kalahari Desert
The Kalahari Desert is a large semi-arid sandy savannah in Southern Africa extending , covering much of Botswana and parts of Namibia and South Africa, as semi-desert, with huge tracts of excellent grazing after good rains. The Kalahari supports more animals and plants than a true desert...
of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, notably in the North Eastern part of Namibia
Namibia
Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...
and North Western part of Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
. The Kalahari is perhaps the greatest continuous stretch of sand in the world, and would have been classified as a semi-desert rather than a desert, were it not for the lack of any surface water. However, the omiramba provide occasional standing pools of water and more fertility that in the surrounding sand plains. Some omiramba names are: Eiseb, Rietfontein, Epukiro, Omatako. They start in the central parts of Namibia and run into the central parts of Botswana, sometimes being shallow and deeper with cliffs here and there, othertimes being quite wide (3-4 km). The omiramba which were perennial rivers about 16 thousand years ago, now flow only for short distances and only after good rains. Herdsmen love to make their cattle posts in or near the omiramba, so they do not need to use their pumping equipment so often to extract subterranean water, which may be as deep as 300m. Historically, they are known for battles which were fought along their winding courses, notably the Herero-German war in 1904, which ended in a terrible genocide in which 70% of the Herero population was killed, many when fleeing down the omiramba which were then in the dry season and inhospitable. The omiramba were also home to Bushmen
Bushmen
The indigenous people of Southern Africa, whose territory spans most areas of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola, are variously referred to as Bushmen, San, Sho, Barwa, Kung, or Khwe...
people for as long as anyone can remember.