Welcome to Okahandja

Okahandja is a small town 80 km north of Windhoek. The town nowadays is especially famous for the Okahandja Woodcarvers Market, where hand-made products from the Kavango people are sold. Across from the market, there are shady parking areas provided with a few shops where you can browse around, including a small cafe to enjoy a cool drink after you have strolled through the market and before continuing on your journey. Another favourite in the town is "biltong", which can be bought at these shops or at the Closwa biltong shop situated in town. Okahandja is also rich with the history of Namibia. In 1800 Chiefs Tjamuaha and Kahitjene settled in Okahandja - and in 1827 the first white person settled here. Okahandja was a peaceful settlement, until the "Bloodbath of Okahandja" was fought between the Nama and Herero tribes on 23 August 1850. After Chief Tjamuaha passed away in 1854, he instructed his son Maherero to stand up against the Nama people and a seven year war ensued. The Herero did conquer the Nama - the Germans offered protection for the Nama tribes and on 12 January 1904 the Herero people rebelled against the Germans, but they were chased off into the Kaiserkop area, East of Okahandja. 

Did You Know?

• Annually in August, the Herero communities celebrate the Herero Festival on Maharero Day – gathering in Okahanda to pay respect to their fallen heroes during the independence struggle
• The wives of European missionaries from the 19th century inspired the colourful Victorian-style dresses that clad the traditional Herero women. To make one dress 9-12m of fabric is used
• Biltong is a kind of dried meat and a local favourite. It is not uncommon to see people walking around chewing on biltong. Biltong and Beer - Namibian food!
   

Highlights

• Okahandja Woodcarvers Market