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{{Short description|Captain of the ǃKharakhoen (Fransman Nama)}}
{{Orphan|date=January 2012}}
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{{Contains special characters|Khoekhoe}}

{{Infobox royalty
⚫
{{Contains Khoekhoe text}}
| name = Simon Kooper
| title = was the [[Tribal chief|Captain]] of the [[ǃKharakhoen]] (Fransman Nama)
| image = Simon Cooper, Leader of the Fransman-Nama (cropped).jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Simon Kooper (1860–1913), leader of the Fransman-Nama
| full name = Simon Kooper
| house =
| birth_date =({{circa}} 1860
| birth_place =
| father =
| mother =
| death_date = 31 January 1913
| death_place =
| place of burial =
⚫
}}


'''Simon Kooper''', [[Khoekhoe language|Nama]] name: '''ǃGomxab''', (before 1860–31 January 1913) was the [[Tribal chief|Captain]] of the ǃKharakhoen ([[Fransman Nama]]), a subtribe of the [[Nama people]] in [[Namibia]] from 1863 to 1909. He became famous for leading the Nama in the [[Herero and Namaqua Genocide|Herero and Nama War]] of 1904–1907.
'''Simon Kooper''' ([[Khoekhoe language|Nama]]: '''|Gomxab'''; before 1860
– 31 January 1913) was the [[Tribal chief|Captain]] of the [[ǃKharakhoen]] (Fransman Nama), a subtribe of the [[Nama people]] in [[Namibia]] from 1863 to 1909. He became famous for leading the Nama in the [[Herero and Namaqua Genocide|Herero and Nama War]] of 1904–1907.


==Early life==
==Early life==
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|date=8 July 2011
|date=8 July 2011
|newspaper=[[New Era (Namibia)|New Era]]
|newspaper=[[New Era (Namibia)|New Era]]
|page=6}}</ref> It is not known when his clan moved to [[South-West Africa]] but in the mid-1850s the Fransman Nama under [[Piet Koper]] already resided there.<ref name=KD>{{cite web
|page=6}}</ref> It is not known when his clan moved to [[South-West Africa]] but in the mid-1850s the ǃKharakhoen under [[Piet Koper]] already resided there.<ref name=KD>{{cite web
|title=Biographies of Namibian Personalities, K
|title=Biographies of Namibian Personalities, K
|last=Dierks
|last=Dierks
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|authorlink=Klaus Dierks
|authorlink=Klaus Dierks
|url=http://www.klausdierks.com/Biographies/Biographies_K.htm
|url=http://www.klausdierks.com/Biographies/Biographies_K.htm
|accessdate=9 July 2011}}</ref> At that time the Fransman Nama were one of the Nama clans allied to the [[Orlam Afrikaners]] at [[Windhoek]]. When this alliance was defeated by merchant [[Charles John Andersson|Andersson]]{{`s}} private army in the Battle of [[Otjimbingwe]] on 15 June 1863, Piet Koper was killed and Simon Kooper ascended to chieftaincy.<ref name=KD/>
|accessdate=9 July 2011}}</ref> At that time the ǃKharakhoen were one of the Nama clans allied to the [[Oorlam people|Orlam Afrikaners]] at [[Windhoek]]. When this alliance was defeated by merchant [[Charles John Andersson|Andersson]]{{`s}} private army in the Battle of [[Otjimbingwe]] on 15 June 1863, Piet Koper was killed and Simon Kooper ascended to chieftaincy.<ref name=KD/>


Kooper was looking for a place for his clan to settle permanently. Only in 1889 could a missionary be found to stay with them. The Fransman tribe settled at [[Gochas]] with him<ref name=KD/> which since then is their clan's main settlement.<ref name="Malan">{{cite book
Kooper was looking for a place for his clan to settle permanently. Only in 1889 could a missionary be found to stay with them. The Fransman tribe settled at [[Gochas]] with him<ref name=KD/> which since then is their clan's main settlement.<ref name="Malan">{{cite book
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|first=Johan S
|first=Johan S
|title=Die Völker Namibias
|title=Die Völker Namibias
|trans_title=The Tribes of Namibia
|trans-title=The Tribes of Namibia
|year=1998
|year=1998
|publisher=Klaus Hess
|publisher=Klaus Hess
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==Conflict with Imperial Germany==
==Conflict with Imperial Germany==
After supporting the ǀKhowesin ([[Witbooi Nama]]) under [[Hendrik Witbooi (Namaqua chief)|Hendrik Witbooi]] in their eventually unsuccessful resistance attempt towards German colonialism in South-West Africa, Kooper was forced to sign a protection treaty with the [[German Empire]], represented by Governor [[Theodor Leutwein]]. This treaty was in effect until the [[Herero and Namaqua Genocide|Herero and Nama War of 1904–1907]] began in which Kooper sided with Witbooi again.<ref name="NE"/>
After supporting the [[ǀKhowesin]] (Witbooi Nama) under [[Hendrik Witbooi (Namaqua chief)|Hendrik Witbooi]] in their eventually unsuccessful resistance attempt towards German colonialism in South-West Africa, Kooper was forced to sign a protection treaty with the [[German Empire]], represented by Governor [[Theodor Leutwein]]. This treaty was in effect until the [[Herero and Namaqua Genocide|Herero and Nama War of 1904–1907]] began in which Kooper sided with Witbooi again.<ref name="NE"/>


The Germans defeated the Nama in the Battle of [[Swartfontein]] on 15 January 1905 and forced them to flee first into the [[Kalahari]] Desert and then to recede into [[Bechuanaland]], the British colony that later became [[Botswana]]. From there they repeatedly and for several years mounted [[guerrilla]]-style attacks at the colony's ''[[Schutztruppe]]'' (Protection Force),<ref name="NE"/> actions that made Kooper raise to fame.<ref name=KD/>
The Germans defeated the Nama in the Battle of [[Swartfontein]] on 15 January 1905 and forced them to flee first into the [[Kalahari]] Desert and then to recede into [[Bechuanaland]], the British colony that later became [[Botswana]]. From there they repeatedly and for several years mounted [[guerrilla]]-style attacks at the colony's ''[[Schutztruppe]]'' (Protection Force),<ref name="NE"/> actions that made Kooper rise to fame.<ref name=KD/>


After Witooi's death end of October 1905, Kooper and [[Jakob Morenga]] took over the leadership of the Nama uprising. When Morenga was captured by the British in 1906, Kooper alone led the Nama activities against the Germans. He was imprisoned at [[Shark Island Concentration Camp|Shark Island]] near [[Lüderitz]] in 1907 but escaped into the [[Great Karas Mountains|Karas Mountains]] where Morenga had used the old Nama fortress [[ǁKhauxaǃnas]] as hideout for his rebels.<ref name="DierksK2">{{cite book
After Witooi's death end of October 1905, Kooper and [[Jakob Morenga]] took over the leadership of the Nama uprising. When Morenga was captured by the British in 1906, Kooper alone led the Nama activities against the Germans. He was imprisoned at [[Shark Island Concentration Camp|Shark Island]] near [[Lüderitz]] in 1907 but escaped into the [[Great Karas Mountains|Karas Mountains]] where Morenga had used the old Nama fortress [[ǁKhauxaǃnas]] as hideout for his rebels.<ref name="DierksK2">{{cite book
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|accessdate=9 July 2011}}</ref>
|accessdate=9 July 2011}}</ref>


Kooper was the last Nama leader still to fight against the Germans until 1908, and the only one never to be captured again after his escape from Shark Island. German troops launched several attacks at his group. In the last of these pursuits at [[Seatsub]] in March 1908, most of the Nama under Kooper were killed and his wife was taken prisoner, but he managed to flee again.<ref name="NE"/> This raid contravened the international law of the time because it took place outside German jurisdiction. German writers [[Hans Grimm]] and [[Fritz von Unruh]] took this incident as basis for one of their literary works, respectively, which made this episode known to the German public.<ref name=KD/>
Kooper was the last Nama leader still to fight against the Germans until 1908, and the only one never to be captured again after his escape from Shark Island. German troops launched several attacks at his group. In the last of these pursuits at [[Seatsub]] in March 1908, most of the Nama under Kooper were killed and his wife was taken prisoner, but he managed to flee again.<ref name="NE"/> This raid contravened the international law of the time because it took place outside German jurisdiction. German writers [[Hans Grimm]] and [[Fritz von Unruh]] took this incident as basis for one of their literary works, respectively, which made this episode known to the German public.<ref name=KD/>


After this last attempt to capture him, German and British colonial forces negotiated a ceasefire, granting an annual allowance for the rest of his life in return for the cessation of all hostilities from his side.<ref name="NE"/> Simon Kooper received 100 [[Pound sign|£]] in 1908, 75 £ in 1909 and 60 £ in the years thereafter from this agreement. He died in [[Lokgwabe]], Botswana, on 31 January 1913.<ref name="NE"/>
After this last attempt to capture him, German and British colonial forces negotiated a ceasefire, granting an annual allowance for the rest of his life in return for the cessation of all hostilities from his side.<ref name="NE"/> Simon Kooper received 100 [[Pound sign|£]] in 1908, 75 £ in 1909 and 60 £ in the years thereafter from this agreement. He died in [[Lokgwabe]], Botswana, on 31 January 1913.<ref name="NE"/>
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*[[German South-West Africa]]
*[[German South-West Africa]]
*[[Herero and Namaqua Genocide]]
*[[Herero and Namaqua Genocide]]

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==References==
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{{reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{cite news|url=http://www.az.com.na/fileadmin/pdf/2011/az/Zweisprachiger-06-22-11.pdf|title=Zweisprachiger Grabstein für Nama-Kapitän Simon Kooper|trans_title=Bilingual tombstone for Nama Captain Simon Kooper|language=German|last=Koch|first=Harald|date=22 June 2011|newspaper=[[Allgemeine Zeitung (Namibia)|Allgemeine Zeitung]]}} Picture of Kooper's tombstone at Lokgwabe, Botswana
*{{cite news|url=http://www.az.com.na/fileadmin/pdf/2011/az/Zweisprachiger-06-22-11.pdf|title=Zweisprachiger Grabstein für Nama-Kapitän Simon Kooper|trans-title=Bilingual tombstone for Nama Captain Simon Kooper|language=German|last=Koch|first=Harald|date=22 June 2011|newspaper=[[Allgemeine Zeitung (Namibia)|Allgemeine Zeitung]]}} Picture of Kooper's tombstone at Lokgwabe, Botswana


{{Authority control}}
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==References==
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{{reflist|2}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Kooper, Simon
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = 1913
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kooper, Simon}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kooper, Simon}}
[[Category:19th-century births]]
[[Category:19th-century births]]
[[Category:1913 deaths]]
[[Category:1913 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Namakwa District Municipality]]
[[Category:People from Khâi-Ma Local Municipality]]
[[Category:Nama people]]
[[Category:Nama people]]

Latest revision as of 05:39, 20 August 2024

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Simon Kooper
was the Captain of the ǃKharakhoen (Fransman Nama)
Simon Kooper (1860–1913), leader of the Fransman-Nama
Born(c. 1860
Died31 January 1913
Names
Simon Kooper

Simon Kooper (Nama: |Gomxab; before 1860 – 31 January 1913) was the Captain of the ǃKharakhoen (Fransman Nama), a subtribe of the Nama people in Namibia from 1863 to 1909. He became famous for leading the Nama in the Herero and Nama War of 1904–1907.

Early life

[edit]

Kooper was born in Pella in the Northern Cape.[1] It is not known when his clan moved to South-West Africa but in the mid-1850s the ǃKharakhoen under Piet Koper already resided there.[2] At that time the ǃKharakhoen were one of the Nama clans allied to the Orlam Afrikaners at Windhoek. When this alliance was defeated by merchant Andersson's private army in the Battle of Otjimbingwe on 15 June 1863, Piet Koper was killed and Simon Kooper ascended to chieftaincy.[2]

Kooper was looking for a place for his clan to settle permanently. Only in 1889 could a missionary be found to stay with them. The Fransman tribe settled at Gochas with him[2] which since then is their clan's main settlement.[3]

Conflict with Imperial Germany

[edit]

After supporting the ǀKhowesin (Witbooi Nama) under Hendrik Witbooi in their eventually unsuccessful resistance attempt towards German colonialism in South-West Africa, Kooper was forced to sign a protection treaty with the German Empire, represented by Governor Theodor Leutwein. This treaty was in effect until the Herero and Nama War of 1904–1907 began in which Kooper sided with Witbooi again.[1]

The Germans defeated the Nama in the Battle of Swartfontein on 15 January 1905 and forced them to flee first into the Kalahari Desert and then to recede into Bechuanaland, the British colony that later became Botswana. From there they repeatedly and for several years mounted guerrilla-style attacks at the colony's Schutztruppe (Protection Force),[1] actions that made Kooper rise to fame.[2]

After Witooi's death end of October 1905, Kooper and Jakob Morenga took over the leadership of the Nama uprising. When Morenga was captured by the British in 1906, Kooper alone led the Nama activities against the Germans. He was imprisoned at Shark Island near Lüderitz in 1907 but escaped into the Karas Mountains where Morenga had used the old Nama fortress ǁKhauxaǃnas as hideout for his rebels.[4]

Kooper was the last Nama leader still to fight against the Germans until 1908, and the only one never to be captured again after his escape from Shark Island. German troops launched several attacks at his group. In the last of these pursuits at Seatsub in March 1908, most of the Nama under Kooper were killed and his wife was taken prisoner, but he managed to flee again.[1] This raid contravened the international law of the time because it took place outside German jurisdiction. German writers Hans Grimm and Fritz von Unruh took this incident as basis for one of their literary works, respectively, which made this episode known to the German public.[2]

After this last attempt to capture him, German and British colonial forces negotiated a ceasefire, granting an annual allowance for the rest of his life in return for the cessation of all hostilities from his side.[1] Simon Kooper received 100 £ in 1908, 75 £ in 1909 and 60 £ in the years thereafter from this agreement. He died in Lokgwabe, Botswana, on 31 January 1913.[1]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f Shiremo, Shampapi (8 July 2011). "Captain Simon Kooper: The gallant fighter against German colonialism". New Era. p. 6.
  2. ^ a b c d e Dierks, Klaus. "Biographies of Namibian Personalities, K". Retrieved 9 July 2011.
  3. ^ Malan, Johan S (1998). Die Völker Namibias [The Tribes of Namibia] (in German). Windhoek, Göttingen: Klaus Hess. pp. 120–125.
  4. ^ Dierks, Klaus. "Chapter 2: The Rediscovery of ǁKhauxaǃnas". ǁKhauxaǃnas. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
[edit]
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