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Namibia Traditional Polities
| States: Baster
(Rehoboth) - Damara - Herero - Nama (Khoi): Awa-Khoi ("Red Nation") - Aich-Ai ("Afrikaner") - Gami-nun ("Bondelswarts")
- Kou Goa ("Swartboois") - Gei-Khauan - Hei-Khauan - Aman (Bethany) - Witbooi - Ovambo Ondonga - Ongandjera - Uukwaluudhi - Uukwambi - Uukwangali - Uukwanyama - Kavango:
Gciriku - Mbukushu - Shambyu - Caprivi Strip:
Fwe (Mafwe) - Masubia
- |
Note: All these polities may be more appropriately described as "tribes." They are classified here by ethnicity. Under the South African rule the polities were recognized as the Tribal Authorities under the Native Administration Proclamation of 1928. As of 1990 there were 36 Tribal Authorities (7 Ovambo, 5 Kavango, 3 Caprivi, 5 Herero, 8 Nama, 1 or 2 for each other ethnic groups).
Damara (ǂNūkhoe ǁAes)
|
![[Damara
flag 1864 (Namibia)]](na-damara1864.gif "[Damara flag 1864
(Namibia)]")
1876 - 1880 Declared a protectorate by Cape Colony.
30 Nov 1894 - 1915 German protectorate.
Chiefs (title Gaob)
c.1790
Gaoseb
c.1815
Hoeseb
c.1840
Abraham
Seibeb
c.1860 -
1894
Abraham
Goreseb
(d. 1894)
1894 -
1910
Cornelius
Goreseb
(b.
1844 - d. 1910)
1910 -
1953
Judas
Goreseb
(d. 1953)
1953 -
1977
David
Goreseb
(d. 1977)
1982 -
Justus
Garoëb
(b. 1942)
(acting to Sep 1993)
Nama (Khoi)
(1) Awa-Khoi ("Red Nation")
bf.1700 Chiefdom established.
Paramount chiefs (title Kaptein)
1695 - 1710
Hab
(d. 1710)
1710 - 1725
Khomab Hamab
(d.
1725)
1725 - 1740
Khaub Gaib Khomaa
1740 - 1755
O-Naib Khaumab
1755 - 1770
Hanab O-Naimab
1770 - c.1800
Gaob Hanamab
c.1800
Gomes
(f)
1814 -
1824
Tsawub
Gamab
1824 -
1840
Na-khom
Gamab
1840 -
1867
Oasib
Cornelis (= Nakhomab) (d.
1867)
1867 - 21 May
1878
Gorakhab Barnabas
1878 -
1881
Gabeb
Petrus
1881 -
1905
Naresib
Manasse
1922 - 18 Jul
1936
Hoëb
Oasmab
(d. 1936)
1936 - 8 May
1949
Noach
Tsai-Tsaib
(b.
1868 - d. 1949)
1949 -
1986
Matheus
Kooper
(d. 1986)
3 Dec 1988 - 27 Jun 2022 Petrus Simon
Moses Kooper (b. 1948?
- d. 2022)
1800
Chiefdom established.
8 Jan
1886
German
protectorate.
10 Aug
1889
Chiefdom
abolished by German protectorate authority.
Chiefs (title Kaptein)
1800 -
1823
Jager
Afrikaner
(b. 17.. - d. 1823)
1823 - 18 Aug
1861
Jonker
Afrikaner
(b.
1785 - d. 1861)
(= Hara-mûb = /Hôa-/aramab)
1861 - 15 Jun
1863
Christian
Afrikaner
(d.
1863)
Aug 1863 - 10 Aug 1889 Jan
Jonker
Afrikaner
(b. 1820 - d. 1889)
10 Sep 1996 - 21 May 2005 Jeremiah Jagger
(b. 19.. - d. 2005)
2005 - 19 Aug
2011
Hendrina Martha Afrikaner (f)
(b. 1952 - d. 2011)
1 Oct 2011 - 17 Dec 2011 Petrus Olman
(acting)
17 Dec 2011 - 3 Jul 2013 Isak //Gowaseb
(b. 1948 - d. 2013)
23 Jul 2016 - 18 Jun 2021 Eduard Afrikaner
(b. 1948 - d. 2021)
(3) !Gami-‡nun ("Bondelswarts")
21 Aug 1890 - 1915 German protectorate.
Chiefs (title Kaptein)
c.1843
Abraham
Mar 1869 - 3 Oct 1901
Wilhelm
Christian
(b. 18.. - d. 1902)
1902 - 25 Oct
1903
Abraham
Christian
(b.
18.. - d. 1903)
1903 - 5 Mar
1910
Johannes
Christian
(d.
1910)
1918 -
1919
Wilhelm
Christian junior
1919 - Mar
1920
Hendrik Sneeuwe
Mar 1920 -
1920
Timotheus Beukes
1920 -
1943
Jakobus
Christian
(b.
1880 - d. 1943)
1943 - 3 Mar
1953
Nathanel
Christian
(b.
1898 - d. 1953)
1953 -
1977
Wilhelm
Christian
+ Jakobus Christian
(councillors)
20 May 1977 - 6 Sep 2011 Anna Katrina
Christian (f) (b. 1939? - d.
2011)
(= !Garisema !Nanse Gôa-Khoes)
2011 - 19 Jun
2015
Josef Christian (acting)
(b. 1962? - d. 2015)
7 May 2016
-
Johannes Matroos (disputed)
Chiefs (title Kaptein)
.... -
....
Kanebeb
.... -
....
Tsauchap
.... -
1835
Haobeb
1835 -
c.1864
Willem
Swartbooi
(b.
1790 - d. c.1864)
c.1864 -
1882
Abraham
Swartbooi
(d.
1882)
1882 -
1895
Cornelius
Swartbooi
1895 - Mar
1898
David Swartbooi
Mar 1898 - 1905
Lazarus Swartbooi
(d. 1905)
1905 - 1986
Vacant
15 Nov 1986
-
Daniël
Luipert
(b. 1937)
(5) Oorlam
20 Mar 1894 - 1915 German protectorate.
Chiefs
1814 - 13 Feb
1864
Amraal
Lambert
(b. c.1774 - d. 1864)
1865 -
1868
Lambert
Lambert
1868 - 8 Mar
1894
Andreas
Lambert
(b. c.1843 - d. 1894)
1894 - 6 Apr
1896
Eduard
Lambert
(d. 1896)
(5-2) Hei-Khauan
Chiefs (title Kaptein)
1815? -
c.1850
Dirk
Isaak
(d. c.1850)
c.1850 - 15 Apr
1869 Paul
Goliath
(b. c.1790 - d. 1869)
1873 - 12 Dec
1892
Jakobus
Isaak
(d. 1892)
1895 -
c.1900
Diederik
Goliath
c.1900 -
1925
Christian
Goliath
(d.
1925)
1925 -
1933
Andries
Goliath
(d. 1933)
1933 -
1938
Diederik
Ruben
Goliath
(b.
1895 - d. 1947)
1938 -
1956
Edward
Isaak,
Jr.
(d.
1959)
+ David
Vries
(d. 1956)
1956 -
1959
Edward
Isaak,
Jr.
(s.a.)
1959
Diederik Isaak
1959 - 1976
Diederik
Isaak
+ David Christian
Goliath
(d. 1976)
1976 - 1992
Stephanus
Goliath
(de facto to 2010)
1992 -
2010
Johannes Fleermuis (de jure)
2010
-
Johannes Isaak
Mar 2010
-
Thomas Karools (disputed)
(6) !Aman (Bethany)
21 Oct 1884 - 1915 German protectorate.
Chiefs (title Hoofman)
1804 -
c.1825
Kobus
Boois (Kobus Frederiks)
(d. c.1825)
c.1825 -
1842
Josef
Frederiks
I
(d.
c.1842)
c.1825 -
1846
Jan
Boois (Jan
Frederiks)
(d. 1846)
1847 - 12 Dec
1880
David Christian
Frederiks
(d. 1880)
(= Willem Frederiks = //Nâixab)
15 May 1881 - 20 Oct 1893 Josef Frederiks
II
(d. 1893)
(= !Khorebe-gaib = //Nâixamab)
3 Dec 1893 - 21 Dec 1906 Paul
Frederiks
(d. 1906)
1894 - 3 Mar
1906
Cornelius
Frederiks
(d.
1907)
(in opposition)
1916 -
1922
Eduard
Frederiks
(d.
1922)
1922 -
1938
Josef
Frederiks
III
(d.
1938)
1938 -
1977
Simon
Boois (= Simon Frederiks) (d. 1977)
1977 -
1984
Jan
Samuel Herero
1984 - 12 Jan 2018
David
Frederiks
(b. 1932 - d. 2018)
(7) Witbooi
1815
Witbooi lineage founds chiefdom in Cape Province.
1863
Chiefdom moved to Namibia.
Chiefs (title Kaptein)
1815 - 31 Dec
1875
Kido Moses David
Witbooi
(b. 1781 - d. 1875)
31 Dec 1875 - 22 Feb 1888 Moses Kido
Witbooi
(b. 1808 - d. 1888)
22 Feb 1888 - 29 Oct 1905 Hendrik
Witbooi
(b. 1824 - d. 1905)
1905 - 28 Oct
1928
Isaak
Witbooi
(b. 1865 - d. 1928)
1928 - 9 Jul
1955
David
Witbooi
(b. 1871 - d. 1955)
1955 - 18 Jan
1978
Hendrik Samuel
Witbooi
(b.
1906 - d. 1978)
Jul 1978 - 13 Oct 2009 Hendrik
Witbooi
(b. 1934 - d. 2009)
13 Oct 2009 - 5 Oct 2015 Christian Rooi
(acting)
(b. 1940 - d. 2015)
5 Oct 2015
-
Salomon Josephat
Witbooi
(b. 1958?)
15 Aug 2019 - 5 Apr 2022 Hendrik Ismael
Witbooi (b.
1972?)
(recognized by Namibian government)
Ovambo
(1) Ondonga
Chiefs (title Omukwaniilwa)
1650 - 1690
Nembulung lyNgwendha
1690 - 1700
Shindongo sha Namutenya gwa Nguti
1700 - c.1750
Nangombe ya Mvula
c.1750 -
c.1820
Nembungu
lyAmutundu
(d.
c.1820)
c.1820 - 31 Jul
1857 Nangolo
dAmutenya
(b.
1790 - d. 1857)
1857 -
1859
Shipanga
shAmukwiita
(d.
1862)
1859 - 7 Dec
1874
Shikongo sha
Kalulu
(d.
1874)
1874 - 5 Dec 1883
Kambonde I
kaNankwaya
(d.
1883)
1883 - 26 Sep
1884
Iitana
yaNekwiyu
(d.
1884)
27 Sep 1884 - 22 Jun 1909 Kambonde II
kaMpingana
(b.
c.1865 - d. 1909)
(in western Ondonga)
1884 - 14 Apr
1908
Nehale lya
Mpingana
(d.
1908)
(in eastern Ondonga)
1909 - 8 Aug
1912
Kambonde III
kaNgula
(d.
1912)
1912 - Aug 1942
Martin Nambala
yaKadhikwa
(d. 1942)
1942 - 23 Sep
1960
Kambonde IV
kaNamene
(d.
1960)
1960 -
1967
Martin
Ashikoto
1967 - 6 Oct
1970
Paulus
Elifas
(b. 1920 - d. 1970)
1972 - 16 Aug
1975
Filemon
Elifas
(b. 1932 - d. 1975)
28 Aug 1975 - 26 Mar 2019 Immanuel Kauluma
Elifas (b.
1932? - d. 2019)
14 Apr 2019
-
Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo
(b.
1974)
(2) Ongandjera
Chiefs (title Omukwaniilwa)
1858 -
1862
Amunyela
gwa
Tshaningwa
(d.
1862)
1862
Ekandjo lya Kadhila
1862
Nakashwa -Queen
1862 -
1878
Tsheya
tshUutshona
(d.
1878)
1878 -
1887
Iiyambo
yIileka
(d. 1887)
1887 -
1930
Tshaanika
Tsha
Natshilongo
(d. 1930)
1930 -
1936
Sheya
shaAmukwa
(d. 1936)
1936 -
1948
Tshaanika
shIipinge
(d. 1948)
1948 - 1971
Vacant
16 Nov 1971 - 26 Jul 2012 Japhet Malenga
Munkundi
(b. 1928? - d. 2012)
Aug 2012
-
Johannes Jafet Mupiya
(b. 1961?)
(3) Uukwaluudhi
Chiefs (title Omukwaniilwa)
.... - ....
Amukwa yAmunyela
.... - ....
Nakawiila
.... - ....
Kamongwa
.... - ....
Natshilongo shIikombo
.... - ....
Shikwa shAmupindi (Kayambu)
.... - ....
Niilenge yaShipula
.... -
c.1850
Uushona
uEndjila
c.1850 -
1902
Shikongo
shIipinge
(d.
1902)
1902 -
1908
Niilenga
yAmukwa
(d.
1908)
1908 -
1909
Iita
ya
Nalitoke
(d.
1909)
1909 -
1959
Mwaala
gwa
Nashilongo
(b.
c.1880 - d. 1959)
20 Sep 1960 -
Josea Shikongo Taapopi Shitaatala
(4) Uukwambi
Chiefs (title Elenga Enene)
.... - ....
Nakwedhi
.... - ....
Nuyoma wAmitako
.... - ....
Neyema
.... - ....
Niigogo yaNatsheya
.... - ....
Mbulungundju
.... - ....
Nakano
.... - 1750
Mukwambi
(d. 1750)
1750 - 1780
Nakantu kaNakwedhi
1780 - 1800
Nuukata waTshiinga
1800 - 18..
Iilonga yaNyango
.... -
1860
Tshikesho
1860
Tshikongo
1860 -
1862
Nuyoma
wIipumbu
1862 -
1863
Iipumbu
ya Nangaku
1863
Tshikesho
tshEelu
(d. 1863)
1863 -
1875
Nuyoma
1875 -
1907
Negumbo
lya
Kandenge
(d.
1907)
1907 -
1932
Iipumbu
ya
Tshilongo
(d.
1959)
1932 - 1991
Vacant
1991
-
Herman
Iipumbu
(5) Uukwangali
Queens (title Hompa)
c.1750
Mate
I
1750 -
1775
Nankali
1785 -
1800
Simbara
(d. 1800)
1800 -
1818
Mate
II
(d. 1818)
Chiefs (title Hompa)
1818 -
1822
Siremo
(d. 1822)
1822 -
1833
Mpepo
(d. 1833)
1833 -
1870
Sikongo
(d. 1870)
1870 -
1880
Mpasi
(d. 1880)
1880 -
1886
Mpande
-Queen
(d.
1886)
1886 -
1910
Himarua
(d. 1910)
1910 -
1924
Kandjimi
Hawanga
(d.
1924)
1924 -
1926
Mbuna
(d. 1926)
1926 -
1941
Kanuni
-Queen (1st
time)
(d. 1971)
1941 -
1958
Sivute
(d. 1958)
1958 -
1971
Kanuni
-Queen (2nd
time)
(s.a.)
1971 - 12 Apr
1977
Mbandu
(d. 1977)
1977 - 17 Dec 2014
Daniel Sitendu Mpasi
(b. 1934 - d. 2014)
25 Apr 2015
-
Eugene Siwombe
Kudumo
(b. 1970?)
(suspended by Namibia from 24 Nov 2021)
(6) Uukwanyama (Oukwanyama)
c.1550 Traditional date for emergence of chiefdom.
Chiefs (title Ohamba)
.... - ....
Kambunga kaMuheya
.... - ....
Mushinoi uaKanene
.... - ....
Kavonga kaHaidongo
.... - ....
Heita yMuvale
.... - ....
Hautolonde uaNdja
17.. - c.1799
Shimbilinga shaNailambi
(d. c.1799)
c.1799 - 1807
Haihambo yaMukwanuli
1807 -
1811
Hamangulu
yaNahambo
(d.
1811)
c.1811 -
1858
Haimbili
yaHaufiku
(d.
1858)
1858 -
1859
Haikukutu
yaShinangola
(d.
1859)
1859 -
1862
Sefeni
shaMukuyu
(d.
1862)
1862 -
1882
Mweshipandeka
sha Shaningika (d.
1882)
1882 -
1884
Namadi
ya
Mweihanyeka
(d.
1884)
1884 -
1904
Ueyulu
ya
Hedimbi
(d.
1904)
1904 - 5 Feb
1911
Nande
(d. 1911)
1911 - 6 Feb
1917
Mandume ya
Ndemufayo
(b.
c.1894 - d. 1917)
1917 -
1998
Vacant
6 Feb 1998 - 2 Nov 2005 Cornelius
Mwetupunga Shelungu (b. 1916? -
d. 2005)
12 Nov 2005
-
Martha
Mwadinomho ya Nelumbu (f) (b. 1930)
Herero
bf.1700
Ovaherero
chiefdom established; styled Ehirovaherero.
1876 -
1880
Declared
a protectorate by Cape Colony.
21 Oct 1885 - 30 Oct 1888 German protectorate.
21 Oct 1890 -
1915
German protectorate.
1915
Tribe partly exterminated, partly exiled by German
protectorate authority.
1 Jun
1925
Paramount
chief re-installed.
Paramount chiefs (title Okahandja Herero)
c.1750 -
....
Mutjise
ua Mbunga
17.. -
17..
Tjirue ua Mutjise
17.. -
....
Mukuejuva
.... -
18..
Mbondo
18.. -
18..
Peraa
18.. - 1842
Ndomo
1842 - Dec 1861
Tjamuaha ua
Tjirue
(b.
c.1790 - d. 1861)
Dec 1861 - 5 Oct 1890
Maharero ua
Tjamuaha
(b.
1820 - d. 1890)
1890 -
1915
Samuel
Maharero
(b. 1856 - d. 1923)
(continues in exile to 14 Mar 1923)
1923 - 11 Sep
1952
Frederick
Maharero
(b.
1875 - d. 1952)
(in exile in Bechuanaland Dec 1924 - 11 Sep 1952)
1 Jun 1925 - 18 Jul 1970 Petrus Hosea
Kutako
(b. 1870 - d. 1970)
(recognizes Frederick Maharero as paramount chief)
20 Jul 1970 - 27 Mar 1978 Clemens Mutuurunge
Kapuuo
(b. 1923 - d. 1978)
7 Jun 1978 - 2 Jun 2014 Kuaima Isaac
Riruako
(b.
1935 - d. 2014)
2 Jun 2014 - 31 Jul 2014 Fanuel
Tumbee Tjombe (acting) (b.
1947 - d. 2014)
22 Sep 2014 - 18 Jun 2021 Vekuii Reinhard Rukoro
(b.
1954 - d. 2021)
22 Jun 2021
-
Mutjinde Katjiua
(acting to Jul 2022)
Kavango
Chiefs (title Hompa)
1785 -
1805
Shimwemwe
1805 -
1812
Kayengoma
1812 -
1830
Mulyata
1830 -
1832
Nandundu
1832 -
1860
Muduva
1860 -
1864
Shirongo
1865 - 1874
Muhera
(d. 1879)
1874 - 1924
Thomas Nyangana
1925 - 1944
Haingura Shampapi
1944 - 1985
Linus Mudumbi Shashipapo
15 Mar 1985 - 22 Jan 1999 Sebastian Kamwanga
(b. 1929 - d. 1999)
14 May 1999 - 17 Nov 2019 Kassian
Shiyambi
(b. 1937? - d. 2019)
Chiefs (title Fumu)
bf.1850
Sinyungu
bf.1850
Dinyando
bf.1850
Sihurera
bf.1850
Kasimana
bf.1850
Mashambo
bf.1850
Mbungu
bf.1850
Rukonga -Queen
bf.1850
Diyeve I
1850 - 1895
Dimbu I
(also called
Ndara or Libebe)
1895 - 1915
Diyeve II
1915 - 1929
Disho I
1929 - 1939
Dimbu II
1939 - 1947
Disho II
1947 - 1971
Max Makushe
1971
Frans Dimbare
1971 - 1990
Alfons Majavero
(b. 1934 - d. ....)
1991 -
Erwin Mbambo Munika
Shambyu
Chiefs (title Hompa)
.... - 1803
Nyumba
Yarukunde
1803 -
1815
Kapinga
1815 - 1824
Nyumba
1820 - 1858
Mushinga
1859 - 1874
Kandimba
1874 - 1909
Mbambangandu I (Shinguruve)
1915 - 1924
Ndango
1925 - 1940
Mbanbangandu II
1940 - 1987
Maria Mwengere (f)
(b. 1898? - d. 1987)
1989 - 14 Jun 2015 Angelina
Matumbo Ribebe (f) (b. 1964 -
d. 2015)
Nov 2019 -
Sophia Mundjembwe (f)
Baster (Rehoboth)
![[Old Baster flag (Namibia)
1872-1915]](nam_bast.gif "[Old Baster flag (Namibia)
1872-1915]") 1872 -
1915 |
|
![[Baster (Rehoboth) Flag (Namibia)]](na-bastr.gif "[Baster (Rehoboth) Flag (Namibia)]")
to 21 Mar 19901868
Start of the Baster migration from
northern Cape colony.
1 Jan 1872
Constitution proclaimed.
15 Sep 1885 - 22 Apr 1915 German
protectorate.
2 Nov
1915
South Africa recognizes self-government.
1 Dec 1924
Nicolaas van Wijk
proclaims the independent Republic Rehoboth.
10 Dec
1924
South African government abolishes
self-government.
5 Apr
1925
Direct South African rule.
Mar 1976
Self-government restored.
21 Mar 1990
Namibia abolishes self-government
(Diergaardt proclaims
independence of Basterland which is not recognized).
Captains (title Kaptein)
1868 -
1905
Hermanus
van
Wyk
(b.
1835 - d. 1905)
1905 -
1915
Council of Basters (Basterrat)
[appointed by German colonial authority]
1905 - 25 Apr
1924
Cornelius van
Wyk
(d.
1924)
(in opposition to 9 Jul 1915)
26 Apr 1924 - 5 Apr 1925 Albert
Mouton
Apr 1924 - 5 Apr 1925
Nicolaas van Wijk (in opposition)
5 Apr 1925 - 1977
Post
abolished
Jun 1977 -
1979
Benjamin "Ben" J.
Africa
(b. 1938 - d. 199.)
1979 - 12 Feb
1998
Johannes "Hans"
Diergaardt
(b. 1927 - d. 1998)
12 Feb 1998 - Jan
1999 David "Dap" Jacobus
Izaaks (acting)(b. 1933 - d. 2005)
12 Jan 1999 - 3 Oct 2020
John Charles Alexander McNab
(b. 1938 - d. 2020)
Oct 2020 - 27 Nov
2020 Barney Buys
(b. 19.. - d. 2020)
Nov 2020 - 24 Apr 2021 Martin
Dentlinger (provisional)
Dec 2020 - 2021
Cyril Pienaar (acting)
24 Apr 2021
-
Herbert George 'Jacky' Britz
(b. 1959)
24 Apr 2021 - 11 May 2023 Rynault van Wyk (in
disputed)
Lozi in the Caprivi Strip
19th cent.
Fwe (Mafwe), clan of the Lozi, settle in the modern
Caprivi
Strip, in the Zambezi region.
Chiefs (title Litunga)
1863 - 1914
Simata
Kabende Mamili I
(b. 18.. - d. 1914)
1914 -
1931
Lifasi
Imaata Mamili II
1931 -
1944
Simataa
Lifasi Mamili III
(d.
1944)
1944 -
1971
Noah
Simasiku Imataa Mamili IV (d. 1971)
1972 -
1987
Richard
Temuso
Muhinda Mamili V (b. 1932 - d. 1987)
1987 -
1999
Boniface
Bwimo
Bebi Mamili VI (b. 1947?)
(fled Caprivi in 1998)
18 Apr 1999
-
George
Simasiku Mamili VII
Chiefs (title Munitenge)
1830 - 1845
Liswani I
1845 - 1876
Nkonkwena I
(d. 1878)
1876
Mwanamwale I
1876 - 1900
Ntolwa (f)
1900 -
1909
Maiba I
1901 -
1927
Chika II (= Chika Chika) -Regent
1909 -
1927
Chika Matondo Tongo -Regent
(1st time)
1927 -
1937
Liswaninyana
(d. 1937)
1937 -
1945
Chika Matondo Tongo -Regent
(2nd time)
1945 -
1965
Sinvula
Maiba
(d. 1965)
1965 - 1996
Josiah Moraliswane (Liswani
II) (b. 1914 - d. 1996)
1996 - 21 Jul 2021
Maiba Kisco Liswani
III
(b. 19.. - d. 2021)
- at Munga village, Chobe district [Botswana] -
1928 - 1968
Sinvula Nkonkwena
(d.
1968)
1968
-
Maiba II Sinvula
© Ben Cahoon