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Exploitation in Kavango East and West: The VaGciriku People and More.

 

Introduction

Exploitation in the Kavango East region has been a pressing issue, but the question remains: who is responsible for this utilization? What exactly is being exploited, and who are the victims? This article will delve into these questions, focusing on the VaGciriku people and other ethnic groups in Kavango East. We will also explore the ignorance surrounding these allegations and its impact on the victims, who certainly do not deserve such exploitation.

The VaGciriku People and Their Struggles

The VaGciriku people, who reside in Kavango East, are losing their traditions. This loss is happening due to the kindness and ignorance of the elderly people. Imagine watching others change your language, making it sound ridiculous in their language, and feeling powerless to stop it. This is the harsh reality faced by the VaGciriku people.

The Origins of Exploitation

In both Kavango East and West, the largest town has always been Rundu. This town, situated in Kavango East and believed to be in Mashare Constituency, is home to a mixed culture. The people in this area are supposed to be VaShambyu, who speak a language similar to that of the VaGciriku, with only a slight click sound making it different.

Language Domination by VaKwangali

Historically, the town's population was believed to be dominated by the VaKwangali, one of the five original ethnic groups in Kavango. Alongside them, two groups from Angola, the Nyemba and Kimbundu, settled in Rundu. Over time, the Nyemba people have multiplied more than any other tribe in Kavango, especially in Rundu Town. This demographic change has had significant cultural and linguistic impacts.

Population Comparison

To understand the extent of this change, we can compare the population of different tribes in Kavango:

  1. VaKwangali
  2. VaMbunza
  3. VaShambyu
  4. VaGciriku
  5. HaMbukushu

These five tribes are the original inhabitants of Kavango. Other tribes, although believed to be from Kavango, do not have royal status because they live among these five tribes.

VaKwangali: Language and Cultural Shifts

The VaKwangali people, being the majority in Rundu, influenced many other tribes to start speaking Rukwangali as their daily communication language. This shift led to the loss of the originality of their language. Today, Rukwangali is not the same language that was spoken in the past. The language has been altered by other tribes who learned to speak it, resulting in a loss of cultural identity.

VaMbunza: Living in the Shadows

The VaMbunza people have become a shadow to the VaKwangali. It is rare to find someone introducing themselves as Mbunza speaker. Their language exists only in households and some churches in small villages. This raises questions about why their language was not chosen to be used in schools and why it has not been preserved. The VaMbunza community, despite being one of the five pillars of Kavango, finds their language at risk of disappearing, spoken only by a few elders.

VaShambyu: A Vanishing Language

Rushambyu, the language of the VaShambyu people, is gradually disappearing. By 2040, this language may no longer be traceable. Currently, only a few people can complete a sentence fully spoken in Rushambyu. The language is used by a few in churches and some households in villages like Mashare, Gove and Shambyu area. The neglect of Rushambyu in schools has contributed significantly to its decline. The VaShambyu people need to stand up and fight to preserve their traditions, culture, and language.

VaGciriku: Struggling to Preserve Identity

The VaGciriku people speak Rugciriku, but the language is not the same as it once was. It has been exploited, primarily by other tribes such as the Nyemba who lives among them and others. Many words have been changed or formed differently, leading to confusion among children who hear different versions of the language at home and in school. Historically, VaManyo were believed to speak Rumanyo, which is now taught in schools as a mix of VaGciriku and VaShambyu languages. However, it is mostly Rugciriku. This educational approach has worsened the exploitation of Rushambyu as a distinct language. The VaGciriku people have also lost their cultural dances and traditions, impacted by modernization.

HaMbukushu: An Isolated Community

The HaMbukushu tribe, an isolated group, operates independently. Thimbukushu, their language, has been preserved from exploitation. People in this area learn Thimbukushu as their first language in schools, helping to maintain their culture and language. The HaMbukushu people have managed to protect their linguistic and cultural heritage from external influences, unlike other tribes in Kavango.

The Role of Elderly Ignorance

One of the factors contributing to this exploitation is the ignorance of elderly people. They often fail to recognize the long-term impact of these changes. By allowing other tribes to dominate their language and culture, they inadvertently contribute to the erosion of their own traditions.

The Future of Kavango's Languages

The future of Kavango's languages depends on the efforts of its people to preserve their linguistic heritage. If measures are not taken, many of these languages could disappear, leaving future generations without a connection to their cultural roots.

Conclusion: The Way Forward

The biggest question remains: what can we do about this exploitation? The answer lies in all the people of Kavango understanding the importance of preserving their origins and recognizing the value of their cultural identity. It is essential to protect their languages, traditions, and cultures for future generations. By doing so, they can ensure that their rich heritage is not lost to the sands of time.

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