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Facts about the North Let’s start with the trees The Makalani Palm (Hyphaene petersiana) is without doubt the most iconic tree of Owamboland, where it is known as the Omulunga. Few people, however, are aware that the Omusati Region has the world’s highest density of monumental African baobabs (Adansonia digitata). Only baobabs with a circumference of more than 20 m qualify for the status of monumental and a group of international researchers has identified at least 12 baobabs that meet this criterion in the region. The largest specimen, Sir Howard’s Baobab at Tsandi, has a circumference of 31.6 m at breast height and a height of 23.8 m. The region’s best-known baobab, the Ombalantu Baobab at Outapi, is overshadowed by a specimen with a circumference of 30.6 m and a height of 22.1 m on the town’s western outskirts. Then the Finns arrived The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the Finnish Mission Society in Owamboland. Although the site of the historic Nakambale mission house, church and cemetery at Olukonda is most frequently associated with the society’s missionary endeavours, it was not the first mission station in Owamboland. The first one was established at Omandongo where a divine service was held on 10 July 1870 – the date which marks the introduction of Christianity to Owamboland. Olukonda, the second Finnish mission station in Owambo, was established just over a year later – on 29 July 1871. Nakambale is the Oshindonga name of the most famous Finnish missionary in Owamboland, Martti Rautanen. The name refers to the resemblance of the skullcap that Rautanen wore to an okambale – a palm leaf basket in Oshindonga. While Rautanen is best remembered for his missionary work and the translation of the New and Old Testament, hymns and other religious texts, he was also an ardent amateur botanist. He collected the type specimen of the Manketti (Schinziophyton rautanenii) at Okalolo, about 3 km south of Olukonda in November 1896. Two plant genera have also been named after him, as well as several species he collected. Onandjokwe’s list of firsts Onandjokwe, now merely a suburb of Oniipa, which was proclaimed a town only in April 2015, boasts several ‘firsts’. The first hospital in northern Namibia was built there in 1911. It was also the first building with a corrugated iron roof which became the source of great consternation among the people. Rumours began spreading that because the roof pointed to the heavens it would prevent rain from falling. Fortunately these rumours were quickly dispelled. Other firsts for Onandjokwe are: the establishment of a mission school for women in 1921 and a school for nursing assistants in 1930. Oshiwambo is commonly, but incorrectly, assumed to be the language of the Aawambo. It is in fact a cluster of closely related dialects. Oshindonga, which is close to other dialects and understood by most people, is used for administrative purposes, in churches and taught in schools in Owamboland, while Oshikwanyama is used in Uukwanyama area. Willie Olivier FlyWestair’s Embraer flies north from Windhoek to Ondangwa every weekday and Sundays. Willie Olivier gathered some interesting fast facts about the central northern region of Namibia. If you want to add to the list, send us your ideas to fly@venture.com.na or tag FlyWestair on social media and it will be included in the next issues.
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