ak. The aim of a lecture, by Isaac Gowaseb about the traditions, culture and history of the Nama people, at the FNCC last Wednesday 13 September 2006 was to get to know each other better as Namibians a spokesperson of the FNCC emphasized during the introduction. Isaac Gowaseb is currently a translator in the Damara/Nama language service at the NBC, Senior Councillor of the Afrikaner Traditional Authority and the Chairperson of the Hardap Communal Land Board. By neither being a historian nor a politician, Isaac Gowaseb wanted to share his own Nama-knowledge in the three topics mentioned above, with audience. Starting with the origin of the Nama, who had been herders and hunters since the early centuries, Isaac Gowaseb explained the linkages between the San and the Nama people and why the Nama were also called "Hottentotten" some decades ago. According to his theory the terminus Khoi-khoi, the original name of the Nama, sounded too strange for European immigrants and thus they renamed the Khoi-khoi.

Unfortunately the high targets Isaac Gowaseb wanted to reach were not absolutely fulfilled during his lecture and especially the history which should have been the compendium of the history of the Nama people was partly even more a compendium of the history of Namibia. In the following lively discussion, some textual mistakes were ameliorated and thanks to actively engaged and mettlesome members of the audience some typical characteristics of the Nama as well as differences between the Damara and the Nama were explained, such as the much more lighter skin colour of the Nama in contrast to the Damara, their almond shaped eyes which are similar to Asian people or the shapely backside of Nama woman as well as their delicate hands and feet. It was also explained that besides many European sounding names, each Nama has an original name referring to the respective clans. The name "Nama" and their language were at least a very central topic in the whole lecture. As the language of the Nama and the Damara is very similar a dispute between the two factions regarding the "ownership of the language" has existed for decades. A heated discussion in this regard followed. The discussion was defused by an impressive demonstration of traditional Nama dances, for example the "long-arm dance" and displaying some original items used by the Nama, such as some pieces of jewellery, cosmetic bags or leather baby holder.

The lecture was surely a beginning in reaching a better understanding between the different people of Namibia also if it was attained in a for a lecture very unusual way. Thus the audience agreed that the conflict situation between the different people of Namibia has to be remedied by learning more about each other and reaching a better understanding. By this also the conflict about the "ownership" of the languages between the Nama and Damara should be settled. Especially today, when many young people do not maintain the old traditions of their people such a process is highly necessary.