Nama language

Also known as: Khoekhoegowap, Nama/Damara

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

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The Nama language is a Khoisan language spoken by the Nama people, who are the largest Khoekhoe ethnic group, primarily in Namibia, with smaller populations in South Africa and Botswana. The language is distinctive for its significant use of click sounds. Historically, the Nama were pastoralists, but their numbers were significantly reduced by warfare in the 19th and early 20th centuries. While some continue to practice pastoralism, many Nama now work as migrant laborers. The Nama language is also referred to as a dialect of Hottentot.12

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Khoekhoe languages
…coast; the second type is Nama, also known as Nama/Damara and Khoekhoegowap, with about 120,000 speakers mostly in Namibia (click here for an audio clip of Nama). A few Nama speakers are found in Botswana, and there is another small pocket in the Richtersveld in South Africa. The abandoned term…
Read More
…coast; the second type is Nama, also known as Nama/Damara and Khoekhoegowap, with about 120,000 speakers mostly in Namibia (click here for an audio clip of Nama). A few Nama speakers are found in Botswana, and there is another small pocket in the Richtersveld in South Africa. The abandoned term…
Read More