 Flag of the Rehoboth Basters | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 45,629 (2023 Census)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Namibia | |
| Languages | |
| Afrikaans | |
| 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 largely Afrikaner-influenced culture and Afrikaans language. Other groups of similar mixed ethnic origin, living chiefly in the Northern Cape, also refer to themselves as Basters.
The name Baster is derived from "bastaard", the Dutch word for "bastard" or "mongrel". While some people consider this term demeaning, the Basters reappropriated as an ethnonym, in spite of the negative connotation.[2] Their 7th Kaptein is Jacky Britz, elected in 2021;[3] 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.
45,629 Namibians identified as Basters in the 2023 Census.[1] 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.[4]
- ^ a b "Namibia 2023 Population and Housing Census Main Report" (PDF). Namibia Statistics Agency. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
- ^ 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.