Nama People - Nama Clans

Nama Clans

Apart from Oorlam clans there are nine known sub-tribes, or clans, of Nama. Their names and tribal centres are:

• Khaiǁkhaun (Red Nation) at Hoachanas, the main group and the oldest Nama clan in Namibia
• ǃGamiǂnun (Bondelswarts) at Warmbad
• ǂAonin (Southern Topnaars) at Roobiank
• ǃGomen (Northern Topnaars) at Sesfontein
• ǃKharakhoen (Fransman Nama) at Gochas. After being defeated by Imperial Germany's Schutztruppe in the Battle of Swartfontein on 15 January 1905, this Nama group split into two. Part of the ǃKharakhoen fled to Lokgwabe, Botswana, and stayed there permanently.
• ǁHawoben (Veldschoendragers) at Koës
• ǁOgain (Groot Doden) at Schlip
• ǁKhauǀgoan (Swartbooi Nama) at Rehoboth, later at Salem, Ameib, and Franzfontein
• The Kharoǃoan (Keetmanshoop Nama) split from the Red Nation in February 1850 and settled at Keetmanshoop.