Back Rehoboth-basters Afrikaans باستر Arabic Rehobother Baster BAR Бастэры Byelorussian Бастери Bulgarian Basters Catalan Basteři Czech Baster German Baster Spanish Basters French
The flag of the Rehoboth Basters | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 25,181 (1981)[1]–35,000[2] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Namibia | |
| Languages | |
| Afrikaans, English | |
| Religion | |
| Protestantism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Afrikaners, Coloureds, Nama (Oorlam), Griqua |
The Basters (also known as Baasters, Rehobothers, or Rehoboth Basters) are a Southern African ethnic group descended from Cape Coloureds and Nama of Khoisan origin. Since the second half of the 19th century, the Rehoboth Baster community has been concentrated in central Namibia, in and around the town of Rehoboth. Basters are closely related to Afrikaners, Cape Coloureds, and Griquas of South Africa and Namibia, with whom they share a language and culture. They are also related to the local Nama, with the Rehoboth Basters being considered a Nama clan by many, having a "Kaptein" (meaning clan chief) just like many Nama settlements in Southern Namibia.
Other people of similar ethnic origin, living chiefly in the Northern Cape, also call themselves Basters.
The name Baster is derived from "bastaard", the Dutch word for "bastard" or "crossbreed". While some people consider this term demeaning, the Basters reappropriated it as a "proud name", claiming their ancestry and history, treating it as a cultural category in spite of the negative connotation.[3] Their 7th Kaptein is Jacky Britz, elected in 2021;[4] he has no official status under the Namibian constitution. The Chief's Council of Rehoboth was replaced with a local town council under the new government.
The current numbers of Basters remain unclear; figures between 35,000[2] and 40,000 are estimated. Survival of the Baster culture and identity have been called into question in modern Namibia. Modern Namibia's politics and public life are largely dominated by the ethnic Ovambo and their culture. Baster politicians and activists have called Ovambo policies oppressive towards their community.[5]
- ^ Hartmut Lang (1998). "The Population Development of the Rehoboth Basters". Anthropos. 93 (4./6): 381–391. JSTOR 40464838.
- ^ a b "UNPO: Rehoboth Basters". UNPO. 11 February 2015. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
- ^ Britz, Rudolf; Lang, Hartmut; Limpricht, Corenlia (1999). A Concise History of the Rehoboth Basters until 1990. Rehoboth: Klaus Hess Publisher. p. 12. ISBN 9991674713.
- ^ Jason, Loide (26 April 2021). "Britz elected Baster Kaptein …Van Wyk cries foul". New Era.
- ^ Nunuhe, Margreth (18 February 2013). "Rehoboth community in danger of extinction". New Era (Namibia). Archived from the original on 13 April 2013.
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