Tsumeb was known as a copper deposit in the 18th century. The ovambo people in the region used the copper from the area to fashion their own jewellery and heavy copper rings and tools which were offered for barter in those days.

The bushmen and the ovambos have traded for centuries and complemented each other perfectly. The Bushmen had the knowledge of the copper ore deposits while the Ovambos had mastered the technique of melting copper.

The Ovambos attempted to follow the Bushmen to the source of their ore supply but the journeys took longer than expected. And the bushmen chased them away with poisened arrows.

It was believed that the legendary copper had to be somewhere behind those trees. In actual fact it was right there: a 12 meter high outcrop of pure, oxidised ore stretching across an area 180 meters long and 40 meters wide that was later to be found as the green hill of Tsumeb.

The fascinating thing about Tsumeb is not just its minerals. It is also its mining history, characterised by the contrast between its original inhabitants and settlers.

For a long time, people speculated about the meaning of the name, Tsumeb. One of the most plausible ones was that in those early days before civilization, the Bushmen tried to dig a well in the vicinity of the green hill to enable them to take up residence at the source of their wealth. But time after time the freshly dug well collapsed – because of the many faults and hollows so typical of the karst. Filled with disappointment, they called this place “Tsombtsou” which in their language means “to dig a hole that collapsed again.” In time the word Tsoumbtsou changed to Tsumeb. Ironically, the very place where the wells were unsuccessfully dug now forms the water hazard at the present day golf course.

Tsumeb had many German characteristics than any other Namibian town (apart from Swakopmund). This was hardly surprising as, most of the residents came from Germany. In case of the miners, their presence was due to job opportunities. Others, like the businessmen, who were not directly dependent on mining moved there not only in search of a better future but also because of the charm of the country.

Of course not everyone saw Tsumeb and the Otavi Mountain land with quite the same eyes as OMEG general manager, A Gaedert who described it in a letter to a friend:

Tsumeb offers one of the greatest varieties of mineral assemblages known. To date, 242 species were found, plus 38 still unknown species. Of the 52 minerals discovered at Tsumeb, 40 are known to occur solely there. The crystallization of most minerals is so perfect and aesthetic that 65 species from Tsumeb display the finest crystals known from any deposit.

Now, talking about beautiful Namibia, the triangle of Otavi, Tsumeb and Grootfontein is the most beautiful part of Namibia, if you would forgive me, I would say ‘a paradise on earth’. I am not just keen of Tsumeb because of it being my home town. Tsumeb is also located 80 km from the world renowned Etosha National Park.

A number of canons; machine-guns and other weapons retrieved from Otjikoto Lake form an important part of the displays in the Tsumeb Museum.

Come back later, I promise to add more juicy info about Tsumeb, Right? Right!

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