Ondjiva
is the capital city of this province situated in the south of Angola,
which has a dry tropical climate. The province has six municipa-lities:
Cuanhama, Ombadja, Cuvelai, Curoca, Cahama and Namacunde, the main economic
activities being agriculture and cattle rearing. The province of Cunene,
was founded on 10th July, 1970. It has a population of 487,687, of Koysan
origin, most of the people living in rural communities. Surfafe of the
province is 87.342 Km2 divided into four tribes: Koysan. A peaceful people,
the Koysan are nomads who feed on game and wild fruits. They live in huts
made from the bark of trees. They are short and have yellowish skin. Ovambos:
This tribe is divided into three ethnic groups: Kwanyamas, Cuamatos and
Evales.
They live in communi-ties on farms, rearing cattle and growing the crops
they eat. Almost all their rites are con-nected to cattle. They have a
circumcision ceremony and live in a matriarchal society, the nephew having
more authority than the son. The ovambo are tote mists, believing that
the origin of life is in animals. Nyanekas Humbes These are great cattle
breeders who practise subsistence agriculture. Their schooling is based
upon experience of life. Both sexes are circumcised and learn how to hunt,
traditional medicine, receive sexual educa-tion and are taught how to
cook the local traditional dishes. Hereros - The Hereros are composed
by two peoples, the Macavores and the Mutuas. The Mutuas are poor nomads,
being 100% dependent on the work they do for the Macavores, who are excellent
cattle breeders. The mainstay of their diet is beef and milk. They live
in caravans and they are also nomads.
Useful Information
Police: Tel.: (065) 50112
Hospital Central do Cune-ne: Tel.: (065) 50068
Communication: Radio Television and Transport
Transports
TAAG: Tel.: (065) 50134
Angola Telecom: Tel.: (065) 50002
The climate is semi-dry and the geographical make-up of the province is
characterized by forests, savannah and steppes, the coldest month being
July (17oC) and the Warmest, October (26oC).
How to get There By air
The runway at Ondjiva airport is currently un-dergoing repair works but
in the near future, TAAG and Air Gemini will fly here.
By road
From Luanda /Ben-guela /Lubango /Narnibe/ Cunene.
The province is con-nected to other munici-palities by road, many of these
being under repair works.