In 1902 Imperial Germany confirmed Hoachanas as the home area of the Red Nation and created a reserve of . When the Herero and Nama War broke out in which the Germans attacked the indigenous Herero and Nama in their colonial territory, Manasse ǃNoreseb and Hendrik Witbooi ceased their hostilities and fought together against the "Schutztruppe" ("protection force", the unit deployed to the German colony). Manasse, with only 100 armed men, took over the defense of the central eastern area of Aranos, Leonardville, Aminuis, and Hoachanas.