THE HIMBA OF NAMIBIA
The Himba
The Himba inhabit the barren region of Kunene in northwest Namibia. Hunter-gatherers and pastoralists, the Himba are descendants of the Angolan Herero who migrated southward.
For the Himba, life revolves around the sacred fire known as Okuruwo. Through the use of the smoke, Okuruwo represents a connection with their forefathers, who are in direct contact with their god Mukuru.
The fire in the centre of the village is never extinguished, and each family has a fire-keeper whose responsibility it is to maintain the sacred blaze.
The Himba are a nomadic African tribe who go from waterhole to waterhole in order to care for their cattle and goats.
Women are typically responsible for carrying water, milking cows, building homes, and raising children, while men are responsible for politics and livestock care.
This distinction extends to the use of water for bathing, which is reserved for men only. Women use smoke from burning herbs to purify their pores and maintain their personal hygiene.
The Himba
Fascinatingly, the traditional clan organisation of the Himba is bilateral, a characteristic shared by only a handful of indigenous peoples worldwide.
Bilateral descent indicates that every clan member is a member of both the clan of the mother and the clan of the father. With this structure, the sons and wives reside with the clan of the father, while the inheritance passes to the maternal uncle.
With this structure, the sons and wives reside with the clan of the father, while the inheritance passes to the maternal uncle.
It is considered that this bilateral descent affords a greater chance of surviving in such a severe environment.
The greatest distinguishing attribute of the Himba is their peculiar ornamentation. The striking red ochre body paint and extravagant hairstyles have become synonymous with safaris in the Namibian Kunene region.
The Himba
Hairstyles communicate status, age, and social status.
From small toddlers with shaved heads to braids and plaits facing forwards and backwards to the Erembe – a sheepskin leather decoration – worn by women who have had children, the frequently reddish-orange hairstyles are exotic and beautiful.
The Himba's otijze red ochre body paint is composed of butter, animal fat, and a naturally occurring earth pigment containing iron oxide.
The Himba women use this concoction to protect their skin from the sun and insect bites. It seals in moisture, and enhance their appearance.
Because of the striking appearance that this red paste creates, the Himba tribe of Namibia has become known as the "Red People of Africa".
Did you Find the Himba fascinating?
• The Himba | Uncover the Fascinating World...
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
0:42 - The Himba
01:09 - The himba women
02:11- Himba of northwest Namibia
02:15 - Himba Children
2:20 - Himba moulding
2:47 - Conclusion
• THE HIMBA OF NAMIBIA
• The Himba | Uncover the Fascinating World...
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