Etosha Through the Eyes of Tizuka Yamasaki

Etosha National Park— one of the biggest national parks in Africa. The documentary Etosha Through the Eyes of Tizuka Yamasaki takes viewers on an immersive journey through this iconic landscape, capturing its intimate and untamed beauty.

Through the lens of Brazilian film director, Tizuka Yamasaki, we are invited to explore the deep connections between its people, wildlife, and history. Once a massive lake covering 4,750 square kilometres, Etosha is now an expansive salt pan surrounded by a diverse ecosystem.

The documentary opens with a fascinating tale shared by Jackson Nanghaku, a field guide who recounts the origins of Etosha through a San legend. According to the story, the pan was formed by the tears of a Bushman mother who cried for her lost son. Her endless tears created a vast lake, which eventually dried up, leaving behind the iconic pan we see today. This legend highlights the bond between nature and human emotion.

A snapshot from the Etosha Through the Eyes of Tizuka Yamasaki documentary. 

The animals that call this land home have adapted to its harsh arid conditions. Jackson describes how the animals like springboks are drawn to hidden water sources beneath the rocks—water that sustains life yet remains invisible to the eye. The animals are more than just inhabitants of Etosha, they are symbols of identity for the Ovambo people.

The documentary also introduces us to Agnes Iipumbu, Gondwana’s Etosha Collection’s manager and a proud Owambo woman. She shares her people’s connection to the land, giving insight into the symbolic meaning of animals in Oshiwambo culture. For instance, the elephant, known as Onjamba, is a totem representing strength and royalty. The name Etosha comes from the Oshiwambo word meaning "Great White Place’, a fitting description of the park’s vast salt pans.

Agnes Iipumbu, Gondwana’s Etosha Collection’s manager, dressed in her Oshiwambo etire.

Through the voices of Jackson and Agnes, we gain a deeper understanding of Etosha’s significance. The film invites us to see Etosha not just through Tizuka’s eyes but through those who know it best.