Fortunately, for these questions, we have the internet. Some quick research revealed that Ovamboland was a territory in the extreme north of modern-day Namibia, home to multiple Ovambo people groups. Ovamboland was established as a self-governing state in 1968 by the South African government, which had took it upon itself to administer all of southwest Africa during the Apartheid era. Ovamboland as a formal territory was dissolved with the independence of Namibia in 1989, though the old name of this region is still generally understood [1]. |
Other notes on specimens portray unique relationships of people and plants beyond usage as food, medicine, and tools. Take for example, this African endemic shown to the right: Tragia okanyua, a stinging nettle of the Euphorbiaceae (rather than the Urticaceae, as in the worldwide "stinging nettle" native to Europe). Rodin reports that, in Ovamboland, "If children will not herd cattle or do their work, parents threaten to rub this on them." Now that's a unique form of punishment! |
The notes on the specimen to the left describe semi-supernatural beliefs or uses of plants. Rodin reports, "If you have lost something, carry a stick of this and you will find the lost item. If you hit this plant with a stick, you will have a fight with someone." Plants are not just objects of consumption, but also integral in other aspects of peoples' lives. They're sought out, admired, consulted, and sometimes avoided for a plethora of reasons (like this particular plant...we won't go into detail about why men try not to touch it. But the note tells all!). Ovamboland, while unique it its flora and specific plant-people relationships, is not unique in the importance of plants in the lives of humans. |