Oshana
/oˈʃaː.na/noun
A shallow natural depression in northern Namibia that seasonally collects water, and the name of a Namibian region.
Did you know?The Oshana Region is named for these shallow depressions, which form a vital seasonal wetland system in the otherwise dry landscape of northern Namibia.
Etymological Timeline
Precolonial period
Oshiwambo
oshana
“A shallow natural depression that collects seasonal water.”
19th–20th Century
Oshiwambo
iishana
“Plural form referring to multiple seasonal depressions.”
20th Century
English
oshana
“A local Namibian geographical term used in English descriptions of the Cuvelai landscape.”
1990
English
Oshana
“Name adopted for one of Namibia’s administrative regions at independence.”
Modern English
English
Oshana
“A seasonal water-holding depression, or the proper name of Namibia’s Oshana Region.”
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