[3] Results from investigations about similarities in their music point to East Africa as the origin of all Bantu tribes that today inhabit Namibia.

[2] In the 19th century the Ovambanderu had reached Angola and moved from there into Kaokoland and Ovamboland but got into fights with already resident Herero tribes and subsequently settled in the eastern part of South-West Africa.

Not only are cattle a central source of meat, sour milk omaere, and fat (ongondivi), they have also played a symbolic role in the relation of people to their ancestors.

In the past, the male head of a residential group conducted rituals at the holy fire ('okuruwo'), for instance, tasting the milk, on behalf of those residing there.

Mbanderu people are active in annual remembrance ceremonies held in Namibia and Botswana at the graves of important cultural leaders.