# Omuramba

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**Omuramba** (plural: *Omiramba*) is the term for ancient river-beds found in the [Kalahari Desert](/source/Kalahari_Desert) of [Africa](/source/Africa), notably in the North Eastern part of [Namibia](/source/Namibia) and North Western part of [Botswana](/source/Botswana). The word is taken from the [Herero language](/source/Herero_language). An omuramba provides occasional standing pools of water and more fertility than in the surrounding sand plains. Some specific omiramba are named: [Eiseb](/source/Eiseb), [Rietfontein](/source/Rietfontein), [Epukiro](/source/Epukiro), Omatako. They mostly start in the central parts of Namibia and run into the central parts of Botswana.[1]

## Description

The depth and width of the beds varies, with some being 3 to 4 km wide. Omiramba that were perennial rivers about 16,000 years ago now flow only for short distances, and only after heavy rains.[1][2]

## History

Omiramba have historically been sites for battles which were fought along their winding courses, notably the [Herero-German war in 1904](/source/Herero_Wars), which ended in a terrible [genocide](/source/Herero_Genocide) that killed nearly 70 percent of the [Herero](/source/Herero_people) population and saw many others flee down the courses of omiramba, which were then in the dry season and inhospitable.[3] The omiramba were also home to the [San people](/source/Bushmen) in pre-colonial times.[2]

## Threats

Today, the omiramba are one of many natural water resources being used for agriculture and drinking water by not only the historical nomadic population, but a new and growing sedentary population practicing permanent agriculture. Studies have highlighted concerns about the possible unsustainable use of water in the region.[2]

## References

1. Strohbach, Ben (January 1, 2008). ["Mapping the major catchments of Namibia"](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229140318). *Agricola*. **18** (1): 63–73. – via ResearchGate.

1. Jacobson, Peter James; Jacobson, Kathryn; Seely, M. (1 January 1995). [*Ephemeral Rivers and Their Catchments: Sustaining People and Development in Western Namibia*](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260107196_Ephemeral_Rivers_and_Their_Catchments_Sustaining_People_and_Development_in_Western_Namibia)

1. Bollig, Michael & Gewald, Jan-Bart (eds.) (2000). [*People, cattle and land: transformations of a pastoral society in Southwestern Africa*](https://www.worldcat.org/title/ocm48621279). History, cultural traditions, and innovations in Southern Africa. Köln: R. Köppe. ISBN 978-3-89645-352-5. [OCLC ocm48621279](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/ocm48621279)

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