Herero

A language of Namibia

ISO 639-3

her

Alternate Names

Ochiherero, Otjiherero

Population

206,000 in Namibia (2006). Population total all countries: 237,000.

Location

Damaraland and northwest Ovamboland Territory, Kaokoveld. Also in Botswana.

Language Maps

Botswana

Namibia

Language Status

5 (Developing). Recognized language (2001, Education Act No. 16, Article 35), implemented by Ministry of Education, 2003.

Classification

Niger-Congo, Atlantic-Congo, Volta-Congo, Benue-Congo, Bantoid, Southern, Narrow Bantu, Central, R, Herero (R.31)

Dialects

Mbandieru.

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1987.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Herero

Writing

Latin script.

Other Comments

Glossonym: Damara, erroneous. Traditional religion, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Botswana

Language nameHerero

Population

31,000 in Botswana (2006).

Location

Scattered in groups among ethnic groups: Northwest District, Maun, Gomare, Sehitwa, Makakung, Nokaneng, Shakawe, Nxaunxau, and western cattleposts; Central District, Mahalapye, Toromoja, Rakops, Mokoboxane, Letlhakane; Ghanzi District, Charles Hill, Ghanzi, Makunda, Dryhoek, New Kanagas, Dekar; Kgalagadi District in Tsabong, Omaweneno, Werd; Kgatleng District, Morwa.

Alternate Names

Ochiherero, Otjiherero

Status

5 (Developing).

Language Use

All ages.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: Nearly 60%. Literacy rate in L2: Nearly 60% in Tswana [tsn].

Other Comments

Spoken by the Ovaherero and Ovambanderu peoples. Glossonym: Damara, erroneous. Most came as refugees from Namibia in the early 1900s. Christian, traditional religion.

View other languages of Botswana

Ethnologue

Herero

A language of Namibia

Also spoken in:

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Herero

A language of Namibia

Also spoken in: