Bagani, Namibia

Bagani (1.093 m above sea level) is a settlement on the south-western banks of the Okavango River in the Kavango East Region, Namibia, 200 kilometres (120 mi) east of Rundu and near the Popa Falls on the Okavango River.[1] Bagani has a population of around 2.000 inhabitants and is homestead of the local Mbukushu kings.

Bagani Tjwata
Settlement
Aerial view of Bagani with Okavango-Bridge
Bagani Location in Namibia
Coordinates: 18°7′S 21°37′E
Country	Namibia
Region	Kavango East
Constituency	Mukwe Constituency
Government
• King	Munika Mbambo (SWAPO)
Elevation	1,092 m (3,583 ft)
Population  (2007)
• Total	2,000
Time zone	UTC+2 (South African Standard Time)
Area code(s)	+66

On the opposite, north-eastern banks of the river lies Bufalo in Caprivi and the two towns are linked via a nearby border post.

History

The history of Bagani (Mbukushu: "the old place") is closely linked with the history of the Mbukushu people, the easternmost of the five kingdoms of the Kavango people. Successor of king Mayavero I. became fumu Mbambo.[2] Bagani was founded in 1820[3] and 1880.[4]

Since independence of Namibia in 1990 and in particularly since an ongoing decentralisation policy, Bagani has gained some investments.

Economy and infrastructure

Compared to many other villages in Namibia, Bagani is still underdeveloped. It suffered from a bad infrastructure and the political unrest in neighboring Angola. Until then, the economy of Bagani was characterized by small farmers with only few general services.

Schools

• Bagani Combined School

References

1. McIntyre, Chris (2007). Namibia: the Bradt travel guide. Bradt Travel Guides. p. 445. ISBN 978-1-84162-187-6.
2. "3-1677-1750". Klausdierks.com. Retrieved 2012-10-15.
4. "Namibian traditional polities". Rulers.org. Retrieved 2012-10-15.