Namaquas, the principal existing tribe of the race generally known under the name of Hottentots (q.v.). They inhabit the region called Great Namaqualand, north of the Gariep or Orange River, and the country a few miles south of it, as far as the Kamiesbergen. They are a pastoral people of rather predatory habits, and live under the rule of their chiefs.
GREAT NAMAQUALAND, or NAMALAND, is the extensive region in South Africa north of the Cape Colony, extending from the Orange River to Dameraland (q.v.) northwards, and stretching inland from the west coast to 20° E. long., the borders of British Bechuanaland. Since 1885 a German possession, with the exception of the small British coast territory of Walvisch Bay (q.v.), it has an area estimated at 460,000 sq. m. It is mainly a most sterile and barren region, and along a coast-line of upwards of 400 miles does not present a single running stream; but a few little bays along the coast, such as Angra-Pequeña (q.v.), Sandwich Harbour, and Walvisch Bay, afford safe anchorages. The Rhenish Mission, which has long been active here, has six stations in Namaland with over 2500 converts. There has often been war between Namaquas and Hereros (see DAMARALAND). LITTLE NAMAQUALAND is a barren district of Cape Colony (q.v., Vol. II. p. 738), south of the Lower Orange River. Much copper is mined here.