Herero Graves | Windhoek

Information

Landmark: Herero Graves
City: Windhoek
Country: Namibia
Continent: Africa

Herero Graves, Windhoek, Namibia, Africa

The Herero Graves, specifically the Herero Heroes' Cemetery, is a sacred historical site located on Church Street in the center of Okahandja. It serves as the burial ground for the supreme chiefs of the Herero people and is the focal point of the annual Maharero Day commemorations.

Visual Characteristics

The site is a formal cemetery enclosed by low stone walls and iron fencing. It features several prominent granite and marble tombstones, most notably the graves of Tjamuaha, Maharero, Samuel Maharero, and Hosea Kutako. The architecture is somber and traditional, set against a backdrop of mature camel thorn trees and the nearby Rhenish Mission Church. During the August commemorations, the site is defined by the vibrant red and green traditional military-style regalia of the Herero men and the voluminous Victorian-style dresses of the women.

Location & Access Logistics

The graves are situated 70km north of Windhoek in the town of Okahandja. They are located directly opposite the historic Friedenskirche (Church of Peace) on Church Street. Public access to the perimeter is available year-round; however, visitors should exercise extreme respect and refrain from walking directly on the graves. There is no entry fee. The site is a short walk from the Okahandja town center and the main woodcarvers' markets.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Okahandja was the traditional seat of the Herero royalty. The first royal burial at this site was that of Chief Tjamuaha in 1861. The cemetery became a symbol of national resistance following the 1904–1908 genocide and the 1923 repatriation of Samuel Maharero’s remains from Botswana. Hosea Kutako, a pivotal figure in Namibia’s independence movement and the first to petition the United Nations against South African rule, was buried here in 1970.

Key Highlights & Activities

The site is the destination of the Red Flag Procession (Otjiserandu), held annually on the weekend closest to August 23. Thousands of Herero people gather to pay homage to their ancestors through traditional drills, equestrian displays, and solemn graveyard ceremonies. For daily visitors, the site offers a quiet location for historical reflection on the pre-colonial and colonial struggles of Namibia.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Infrastructure at the site itself is minimal, consisting of the gravesites and informational plaques. Public restrooms and water are available at the nearby service stations and the OK Mall within a 1km radius. There is consistent 4G/5G cellular coverage. Shade is provided by the established trees within the cemetery walls and the veranda of the adjacent church.

Best Time to Visit

The site is most historically significant during the August commemorations. For general tourism, the dry winter months (May to September) offer the most comfortable climate for walking tours. Photography of the tombstones is best in the mid-morning light. Visitors should avoid visiting during active funeral services or private family ceremonies.

Facts & Legends

A specific protocol for visitors: it is customary to stand in silence at the entrance of the cemetery before approaching the graves as a sign of respect to the ancestors. A historical oddity is that the graves of the Herero chiefs are located in close proximity to the graves of German colonial soldiers, reflecting the intertwined and often violent history of the two groups in this specific location.