History of Maun

Foundation and First Mentions

Maun was founded in 1915 as the new capital of the Batawana people. The decision to relocate the settlement to the territory of modern Botswana was made by Chief Mathiba I. The city's name is rooted in the language of the San tribes (Bushmen) and translates as "the place where short reeds grow," which accurately described the local landscape of that time.

Key Development Factors

The development of the city was driven by a combination of geographical and environmental reasons:

• Escape from the Tsetse Fly: Previous tribal centres, such as Tsau and Toteng, suffered from infestations of the tsetse fly, which causes sleeping sickness. Maun was situated outside its habitat, which was critical for the survival of both people and livestock.
• Water Resources: Its location on the banks of the Thamalakane River ensured reliable access to fresh water in an arid region.
• Administrative Status: Becoming the residence of the Chief and the British colonial administration, the city quickly transformed into the political centre of the Ngamiland region (modern North-West District).

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades of its existence, Maun remained a small settlement where life revolved around traditional cattle farming and agriculture. The city's culture combined the traditions of the Batawana people with the influence of early European settlers—traders and missionaries.

The economy of the early period relied on the livestock trade and hunting. Due to its proximity to the Okavango Delta, the city gradually gained fame as a starting point for hunters and explorers, laying the foundation for its future role as the country's tourism capital.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1915: Chief Mathiba I founds Maun as the new capital of the Batawana people, moving the settlement from Toteng.
• 1920s: The first trading posts of European settlers and adventurers open in the city, forming the beginnings of a commercial centre.
• 1939: The equipment of the first airstrip marks the beginning of aviation development in the region.
• 1963: The local community creates the Moremi Game Reserve—the first protected area in Africa founded by local residents rather than colonial authorities.
• 1966: Botswana gains independence, and the city becomes the official administrative centre of the North-West District.
• 1991: Completion of the tarred Nata-Maun road, connecting the isolated region with the rest of the country.
• 1996: Opening of the Nhabe Museum, dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage and art of the Ngamiland peoples.
• 2012: Completion of a large-scale reconstruction of the international airport terminal to accommodate the increased flow of tourists.
• 2014: The Okavango Delta is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list, definitively securing the city's status as a global tourism hub.

Evolution and Key Transformations

The history of the city's development represents a journey from a traditional tribal settlement to a modern tourism hub of global significance. Major changes in the appearance and economy of Maun are linked to several key stages:

• Political Centralisation (1915): The establishment of the city as the capital of the Batawana people was a formative factor. This event not only determined the geographical location of the future centre but also created a base for the formation of permanent administrative institutions, replacing temporary nomadic camps.
• Transport Revolution (1930s – Present): The development of aviation, starting from dirt strips and culminating in the modernisation of the international airport, played a decisive role. Air travel made the city accessible to the outside world, turning it into the main logistical gateway to the Okavango Delta and the foundation of the entire regional tourism industry.
• Ecological Economic Shift (1963): The creation of the Moremi Game Reserve at the initiative of local residents (rather than colonial authorities) was a unique precedent. This decision reoriented economic activity from hunting to conservation tourism, which today forms the lion's share of the region's GDP.
• Overcoming Isolation (1990s): The construction of the asphalt highway to Nata integrated the city into the national road network of Botswana. This drastically reduced the cost of freight delivery, stimulated trade, and made the city accessible to self-drive travellers.
• Cultural Institutionalisation: The opening of the Nhabe Museum and craft centres allowed for the monetisation and preservation of local art. The development of the cultural sector created jobs for artisans and artists, harmoniously complementing safari tourism with an ethnographic component.
• Commercial Urbanisation (2000s): Rapid growth in the service sector, the appearance of large shopping malls, banks, and private clinics transformed the urban environment. From a transit point, the city turned into a comfortable place for living, attracting expatriates and investors.
• Global Recognition (2014): The inclusion of the Okavango Delta in the UNESCO World Heritage list became a powerful marketing driver. This status attracted international hotel chains and raised service standards, definitively cementing the city's image as the tourism capital of the country.

Urban Planning Features and Architectural Mix

The architectural appearance of Maun is far from classical European canons with their distinct styles like Baroque or Classicism. It is a typical African "frontier town," where urban planning developed horizontally and often spontaneously, following the curves of the Thamalakane River. The city represents an eclectic combination of traditional rural settlements, utilitarian colonial-era structures, and modern functional architecture.

Eras and Styles

• Traditional Vernacular Architecture (Pre-colonial – Present): The foundation of local development consists of rondavels. These are traditional round houses with mud walls and conical thatched roofs. This shape is perfectly adapted to the hot climate of Botswana, ensuring natural air circulation. On the outskirts of the city, this style still dominates the residential sector.
• Colonial Utilitarianism (1920s – 1960s): With the development of trade, rectangular single-storey buildings for trading posts and administrative services appeared in the city. Their distinctive features include wide verandas for protection from the sun, gable roofs made of corrugated iron, and simple plastered facades. This style was dictated by practicality and the availability of materials in a remote region.
• Modern Functionalism and "Safari Chic" (1990s – Present): The era of the tourism boom brought concrete, glass, and metal structures to the city. In parallel, a unique style of lodges developed: architects use natural materials (wood, stone, reed) to create luxurious hotels that externally mimic traditional huts but are equipped with the latest technology inside.

Iconic Buildings and Districts

There are no monumental historical monuments in the city, but several zones form its recognisable appearance:

• Old Mall District: The historical commercial heart of the city. The atmosphere of the 20th century is preserved here with small shops and dense low-rise buildings, characteristic of provincial African centres.
• International Airport Complex: An example of contemporary modernism. After reconstruction, the terminal building with glass facades became an architectural landmark, symbolising the city's status as the country's main tourism gateway.
• Thamalakane Riverfront: The area where the "safari" style is best represented. Iconic hotels are located here, such as Riley's Hotel, the history of which is inextricably linked to the era of early travellers and adventurers.

Historical and Significant Figures

The history and development of the city are inextricably linked with the names of tribal chiefs, courageous pioneers, and modern conservationists. Below is a list of individuals who have had the greatest influence on the establishment of Maun as a cultural and tourism centre.

• Kgosi Mathiba I
  Chief of the Batawana tribe, founder of the city.
  A key figure in the history of the region. It was he who, in 1915, made the strategic decision to move the tribal capital from Toteng to the banks of the Thamalakane River, thereby founding modern Maun. His choice of location determined the future of the city as the main water oasis of Botswana.
• Charles 'Harry' Riley
  Entrepreneur, hotelier, and tourism pioneer.
  Arrived in the region in the 1920s and opened the first establishment, which later grew into the famous Riley's Hotel. This place became a legendary meeting hub for hunters, travellers, and adventurers, laying the foundations of the hospitality industry in the city.
• Mohumagadi Pulane Moremi
  Regent (Queen) of the Batawana tribe, visionary ecologist.
  Widow of Chief Moremi III, who ruled as regent from 1946 to 1964. She took a revolutionary step for her time by initiating the creation of the Moremi Game Reserve in 1963. It was the first reserve in Africa created by the local population to protect wildlife from uncontrolled hunting.
• Kgosi Moremi III
  Chief of the Batawana tribe.
  Ruled during the difficult period of the mid-20th century. Although he passed away early, his name is immortalised in the name of the Moremi Game Reserve, which today is the main tourism gem of the region and attracts thousands of visitors, ensuring the economic prosperity of the city.
• Tim Liversedge
  Cinematographer, naturalist, and conservationist.
  A renowned documentary filmmaker who lived in Maun for several decades. His films about the Okavango Delta and the Kalahari Desert were broadcast worldwide (including on National Geographic and the BBC), playing a huge role in popularising the region and attracting international attention to its unique ecosystem.