This empirical study was conducted in the Kabbe Constituency of the Zambezi
Region which is inundated by recurrent floods of varying magnitudes each year. The
flood risk perceptions and coping strategies used by the indigenous residents have
not been given much academic attention. Although the flood mitigation approaches
applied in the Kabbe Constituency seemingly ameliorate the disastrous impacts, they
have proved inadequate. This study used 150 unstructured interviews and field
studies to ethnographically explore flood risk perceptions and coping strategies of the
residents in the Kabbe Constituency. Desk-top research analysed to what extent the
Namibian National Disaster Risk Management System had incorporated indigenous
knowledge in disaster risk reduction policies in relation to the Hyogo Framework for
Action 2005-2015.
The results of the empirical research revealed that 80% of the residents have
advanced levels of flood risk perceptions and 83% showed high sense of belonging
and attachment to the floodplain. Significantly, men and women weigh flood risks
differently. Men weigh the risks according to the benefits they derive from the
floods, while women weigh the risks according to effects on property, children and
themselves. To cope with floods, the residents rely on indigenous flood knowledge
passed on from previous experiences. During floods, division of labour occurs
between men, women and children. Men are usually found on lower terraces fishing
while women and children are usually on higher terraces. Residents practice seasonal
migration to alternative homes located away from the floodplain when floods are
above normal and maintain some resilience by living on fish and lily tubers as
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alternative foods. An assessment of the Namibian National Disaster Risk
Management Policies revealed deficiencies, particularly favouring modern disaster
risk reduction approaches over indigenous flood knowledge.
In conclusion, the author refers to construction methods applied in the Asian Pacific
Region, which could be modified in the Kabbe Constituency to allow people to live
with floods. Further recommendations include the development of a policy
framework to document and integrate indigenous flood knowledge in the Namibian
National Disaster Risk Management Policies and programs.