Tjamuaha

This article is about the traditional Herero leader of the 19th century. For the representative of Hereroland during South African Administration of South-West Africa, see Thimoteus Tjamuaha.

Tjamuaha (also: Tjamuaha waTjirwe, literally English: Tjamuaha, son of Tjirwe, born ca. 1790 in Otjikune, died December 1861 in Okahandja) was a chief of the Herero people in South-West Africa, today's Namibia, and the father of Maharero. He was a close ally and subordinate of Jonker Afrikaner, Captain of the Oorlam Afrikaners, and stayed with him in Windhoek for most of his chieftaincy.^[1] With Tjamuaha's death, hostilities started between the Nama people and the Herero.^[2]

Tjamuaha
Chief of the Herero people in South-West Africa
Born	c. 1790 Otjikune
Died	1861 Okahandja
Burial	Okahandja
House	Ovaherero
Father	Tjirwe

Tombstone for Tjamuaha, Maharero, and Samuel Maharero in Okahandja

This made it necessary for the clans to unite as a group. That is how, on 15 June 1863 at Otjizingue (now Otjimbingwe), Maharero was elected as the commander-in-chief of all Herero clans. Later Maharero was elected the first Paramount Chief of the Herero people.^[3]