Herero Genocide: History and Modernity

Abstract

Colonial rule frequently involved routine, disproportionate violence that empowered European colonizers to act with unchecked brutality. A key example is the German colonial policy toward the Herero and Nama people in German South-West Africa (now Namibia), widely recognized as genocidal.

In 1904-1908, the Herero faced an intentional extermination campaign by German forces through forced expulsions, mass killings, and labor camps, resulting in severe population decimation. Although Germany initially denied responsibility, negotiations for reparations began in 2015, with Germany eventually acknowledging its crimes and offering some form of compensation.

The Herero genocide reflects broader patterns of colonial violence by European powers, influenced by policies observed in regions like South Africa and North America. However, the Herero case is unique due to General von Trotha’s open declaration of a “war of extermination” (Vernichtungskrieg), an unusual instance in which genocidal intent was explicitly stated. This genocide is also viewed by some scholars as a precursor to the Holocaust, drawing parallels in the use of concentration camps and medical experiments on captives. Additionally, connections with the Armenian Genocide are observed in tactics such as forced marches into the desert, where deprivation led to mass death.

Contemporary discussions around the Herero genocide also highlight post-genocide developments, including Germany’s willingness to admit wrongdoing, though reparation terms remain contested. Within Namibia, the genocide resonates particularly with the Herero community, which represents about 10% of the population. At the same time, other ethnic groups, although supportive during anti-colonial struggles, have not prioritized this issue in the post-independence era.