Manasse Tjiseseta. Chief of Omaruru 1884-1898, Namibia

Title: Manasse Tjiseseta
Subtitle: Chief of Omaruru 1884-1898, Namibia
Author: Joris de Vries
Series: History, Cultural Traditions and Innovations in Southern Africa; Vol. 6
Publisher: Rüdiger Köppe Verlag
Köln, 1999
ISBN 9783896450555 / ISBN 978-3-89645-055-5
Softcover, 16 x 24 cm, 146 pages, 10 b/w photos, 2 maps, 14 facsimiles

About: Manasse Tjiseseta. Chief of Omaruru 1884-1898, Namibia

Manasse Tjiseseta’s reign is fundamentally characterized by his territory and his people shifting from an autonomous status to one within the German colonial influence. At the end of this process, he could only comfort himself with the knowledge that he had successfully resisted colonial subjugation for several years. Though Manasse might not have been aware of it, in German eyes, he was seen as the most intelligent and hence most dangerous chief of central South West Africa. Nevertheless, at the time of his death, the people of Omaruru had definitely lost their independence. By the end of 1894, Manasse's proud rule had been dealt a severe blow by the determined Landeshauptmann Theodor Leutwein. The four final years of his life and his reign as a chief, Manasse had to watch helplessly how his once flourishing Omaruru suffered German colonialism and natural hardships alike. When Michael Tjiseseta succeeded his father in 1898, his position was little enviable. Hence the sad undertone of this book, but this is still a tribute to a colourful, proud and intelligent African politician who did everything within his ability to preserve his and his people's independence.