Okahandja

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Okahandja

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S Von Bach Dam

S Von Bach Dam

 main Street

Main Street

 The German fort at Okahandja

The German Fort At Okahandja

  

Okahandja is a small town situated 75km north of Windhoek. It is here that the B1 main north road has a junction with the B2 main road to Swakopmund and the coast. The name is taken from the Herero language and means, "the place where two rivers converge to form a larger one". The two rivers, the Okakango and Okamita, are quite small, normally dry and, in the rainy season, drain into the Okahandja River.

 

Okahandja was settled by the Herero people and eventually became the focal town. Johann H. Schmelen of the London Missionary Society  visited here in 1827 and noted with interest the amount of souls to be converted, but it wasn't until after 1840 when the LMS had transferred its right to the Rhenish Missionary Society at Otjikango (Gross Barmen) that Karl Hugo Hahn and Franz H. Kleinschmidt brought his vision to fruition when they established a MIssion at Okahandja in 1844, which they appropriately named Schmelen's Hope.

 

It was in August 1850, while the British explorer Francis Galton was staying with the Hahn family at Otjikango that the Nama Warlord Jan Jonker Afrikaner, who was based in Windhoek attacked the Hereros of Okahandja and slaughtered many of them. There is a rocky hill in Okahandja named 'Moordkoppie' or Murder Hill, where this event is supposed to have culminated. The hill is at the side of the main B2 by-pass road.

 

The Germans recognized the importance of Okahandja and built one of the first of their fortresses in Namibia here, (which no longer exists). It was from Okahandja that the Herero Uprising began on 11 August 1904, and the town was under siege for some days and was only relieved by Major Victor Franke and his 2nd Field Company on 27 January, which just happened to be the Kaiser's birthday.

 

Presently, Okahandja is a centre for the surrounding cattle and game farms, and has a growing industrial area to the north of town including one of the largest abattoirs in Namibia,

 

Near to Okahandja is the S. von Bach Dam and Nature Resort. Camping, water ski-ing. It all happens here. There are a couple of local ski-clubs, so be sure to contact them if you want to make new and helpful acquaintances. For the anglers the dam is stocked with blue-carper, small mouthed yellow-fish, carp, barbers and large mouthed bass.

 
  
Chief Graves

Chiefs' Graves

 Herero Parade

Herero Parade

 Herero Parade

Herero Parade

 Herero Parade

Herero Parade

  

 

Being the centre of the Herero culture it is at Okahandja where the chiefs are laid to rest and remembered every 23 August, a date referred to as Herero Day. The tribal chiefs visit the graves of their ancestors and pay due homage.

 

  

Local Area Attractions

  
Thermal Pool

Thermal Pool

 The Gross Barmen Hot Springs Resort is located about 25km west of Okahandja. The mineral rich thermal waters that bubble up from deep within the earth are said to have therapeutic values. The complex makes for a relaxing stay-over. The indoor thermal pool waters are maintained at 38-40°c. The outdoor thermal pool has a temperature of about 30°c. There are accommodation facilities including camp sites, shop, restaurant, bar etc.  ►►  
     
Wood Carving markets Okahandja is the home to 2 of the largest Wood Carving Markets in Namibia. The Curio stalls can be seen an both the south entrance to the town and to the northern side nearby where the B1 and B2 road. You can buy just about anything wooden here from attractive polished fruit bowls to carved animals and even canoes. Be prepared to do get involved in some heavy bargaining if you pay these vibrant markets a visit. Time budget 30min+  
     
Herero Chief Graves Complex Herero Chiefs' Grave Complex: These can be seen in 2 separate location on Heroes' Street. It was Chief Samuel Maharero, who declared war, on 11 January 1904, against  the Imperial German Colonizers of Namibia and was laid to rest on 23 August 1923 in here Every year on the Sunday nearest to 23 August the Herero people gather here in ceremonial dress and pay homage to the deceased Chiefs.  Time budget 1hr  ►►  
     

 

  
 
 Travel To Okahandja 

By Road - Self Drive:

It lays 75km north of Windhoek on the B1 road

 

 Distances From Okahandja

 By Rail - Scheduled Services

 

 By Road - Scheduled Services

 

Gross Barmen

 Otjiwarongo Tsumeb Karibib Swakopmund Windhoek
25 / 16 175 / 109 360 / 224 115 / 71 295 / 183 75 / 47
 
   

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