Namibia (5/2007) - Himba tribe

The Himba are an ethnic group of about 20,000 to 50,000 people living in northern Namibia, in the Kunene region (formerly Kaokoland) Recently they have also built two villages in Kamanjab which have become a tourist destination. They are mostly a nomadic, pastoral people, closely related to the Herero, and speak Otjihimba, a dialect of the Herero language.
The Himba breed cattle and goats. The responsibility of milking the cows lies with the women. Women take care of the children, and one woman will take care of another woman's children. Women tend to perform more labor-intensive work than men do, such as carrying water to the village and building homes. Men handle the political tasks and legal trials.
Members of an extended family typically dwell in a homestead, "a small, circular hamlet of huts and work shelters" that surrounds "an okuruwo (ancestral fire) and a central livestock enclosure." Both the fire and the livestock are closely tied to their belief in ancestor worship, the fire representing ancestral protection and the livestock allowing "proper relations between human and ancestor."
The Himba wear little clothing, but the women are famous for covering themselves with otjize, a mixture of butter fat and ochre, possibly to protect themselves from the sun. The mixture gives their skins a reddish tinge. This symbolizes earth's rich red color and the blood that symbolizes life, and is consistent with the Himba ideal of beauty. Women braid each other's hair and cover it in their ochre mixture.
Modern clothes are scarce, but generally go to the men when available.Traditionally both men and women go topless and wear skirts or loincloths made of animal skins in various colors. Adult women wear beaded anklets to protect their legs from venomous animal bites.
Boys are generally circumcised before puberty, to make them eligible for marriage. Marriages are arranged at a daughter's birth and usually take place when the girl is between about 14 and 17.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• namibia
• Himba
• tribe

[nawmmbr]

@bassa237 There is nothing wrong with the way these people live. I'm sure you could not see yourself living this way. While I am an African American, I do feel people go there to exploit these people, by touching the women and taking pictures, for all the wrong reasons. These people don't have a care or worry in the world. They have food, a roof, family, companionship and community. No one suffers depression, bi-polarism, ADD,, or worries about bills to be paid! NOTHING ELSE MATTERS!

[az09983]

omo in isolated spot in the world lol

[li3mle]

who bourht cattle herding to southern afrca

[MegaTang1234]

@boiillbeetyoazz hey it's a much smarter way to carry stuff :p

[raperiyaceuta]

Son de admirar, lo felices que son a pesar de sus condiciones de vida, deberiamos tomar ejemplo muchos de nosotros, y lo unidos que estas, realmente son hermosas personas... los hombres muy machistas, pero son sus costumbres..., aunque deberian hacer para que se respeten los derechos y la igualdad...!!!

[53Africa]

Tourist should be advice to give these people tips like money or clothes and warm Blankets while they take their pictures. Do not take my pic for free and sell yr book for more money while we receive no income.

[bassa237]

What is he explaining? Are they happy that these people are still like this? These guys and the Namibian government need to answer query before UN authorities for violation of women rights . They should encourage change and not using poor helpless people for tourism.