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Skeleton Coast - 2001

Skeleton Coast - 2001

Jacek Pałkiewicz
2006-06-18 23:04:01

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Na-mi-bia our country, Namibia Motherland, we love thee..." Devout reverence overcomes the Damara women in Khorixas when they strike up the national anthem. There's none of the rhythmic swaying of bodies, clapping of hands or overwhelming joie de vivre that accompanies their traditional songs. Professing their love for their country calls for greater solemnity...

Meanwhile, in the coastal town of Swakopmund, Namibi-ans of European extraction are celebrating carnival: linking arms and swaying side to side,

singing and enjoying life in their own traditional way. Then, at the height of the celebrations, the band starts playing the "Südwesterlied," the old anthem of South West Africa. Everyone in the hall rises to their feet and sings from the bottom of their heart: "And if you were to ask us/What it is we like here best/ We could only tell you/We love the South West."

Whatever divisions may exist between the white Namibi-ans in a festival hall in Swakopmund and the black women under the vast, starry skies of the Damara region, they are united in one thing: their love for the country they share. And united in believing it's a love that calls for seriousness and dignity.

That may come as some surprise to an outsider, since the object of their affection is an artificially created entity. The borders of Namibia were drawn up according to the spheres of influence of the European colonial powers at the end of the 19th century. The German Reich, a late starter in the race for overseas possessions, took the leavings of the other European nations.

Borders drawn in that way take no account of ethnic affiliations. That is why reconciliation -bringing together the ten or so ethnic groups and appeasing all the conflicting forces - was one of the priorities of the Namibian government. It was also necessary because the birth of the Namibian nation was long and painful, involving tough diplomatic ...