DAMARALAND, a region of south-western Africa, bounded west by the Atlantic, east by the Kalahari, north by Ovampoland, and south by Great Namaqualand. It forms the central portion of South-West Africa. Damaraland is alternatively known as Herero land, both names being derived from the tribes inhabiting the region. The so-called Damara consist of two probably distinct peoples. They are known respectively as "the Hill Damara" and "the Cattle Damara," i.e., those who breed cattle in the plains. The Hill Damara are negroes with perhaps some Hottentot blood, and have adopted the Hottentot tongue, while the Cattle Damara are of distinct Bantu-Negro descent and speak a Bantu language. The term Damara ("Two Dama Women") is of Hottentot origin, and is not used by the people, who call themselves Ova-herero, "the Merry People" (see HOTTENTOTS and HERERO).