Since Namibia's Independence, West Caprivi's politics have centred on struggles over land, authority and natural resources among the state, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and two ethnic groups, namely Khwe (a San group) and Mbukushu. The article takes its starting point from recent work on 'tribes', 'tradition' and 'ethnicity' in Africa which calls for historical analyses that recognise the multi-layered, multi-authored, processual and political nature of identities.