About Kunene Region
The Kunene Region lies in
the north-western part of Namibia. This region comprises the western part of
former Ovambo, Koakoland, Damaraland north of the Ugab river and the
Magisterial District of Outjo. The Kunene River divides Namibia's Kunene Region
from Angola to the north. With its large supply of water and its hydroelectric
plant at Ruacana, this river will play an increasingly important role in
Namibia. Since 1969 there has been rough plans to build a new dam near the
Epupa Falls however poor public participation during the feasibility study
phase conducted in the late 1990s has lead to this idea being put on hold once
again. For a detailed report on the situation read the online Scientific
American article titled The Himba and the Dam. The area is mostly arid and is
dominated by mountains, plains and the Skeleton Coast Park.The availability of
water has largely determined the regional settlement pattern and thus most
settlements are located near natural springs inland. There is very poor access
to the coast from the rest of the Kunene Region and the entire coastal region
is under the control of the Skeleton Coast Park.Outjo forms the communications
and transport hub of the region. It is serviced by rail and tarred road from
Otjiwarongo and Usakos. Outjo thus forms the centre from which consumer items
and other goods are distributed throughout the region, to towns such as Opuwo,
Khorixas, Kamanjab and Ruacana to the north. These centres are connected by
constructed gravel roads, which are usually best traversed in a 4 x 4
vehicle.The Himba or Ovahimba indigenous population are a marginalized nomadic
group whose livelihood is dependent on sheep, goats, and some cattle, together
with subsistence agriculture along the bank of the Kunene River
