The Himba who inhabit the Kaokoland area of Namibia are descendants of a group of Herero herders who fled into the remote north-west after been displaced by the Nama are still clutching their traditional beliefs by breeding their cattle and goats and dressing in few clothes from a loin cloth or a goat skinned skirts. The Himba also rub their bodies with red ochre and fat to protect them from the sun which also gives their appearance an earth’s rich red color. A true beauty of this tribe!
What makes this tribe truly amazing is their jewelry, which is made from iron or shell. This is hand crafted and time consuming work (The Himba woman do the main work whilst the men deal with political movements in the village and attending the cattle). The main shell or cone shell symbolizes marriage. The woman’s ankles are covered with iron bracelets – this is their most private part of their bodies (only the husband can see a married woman’s ankles!) The different neck pieces and hair styles determines the importance of the person (man, woman or child).
The Himba live in homesteads are cone shaped structures made from mud, mopane trees and cattle dung with a central kraal and a sacred line leading from the chief’s hut to the main kraal gate where all male circumcision and teeth are removed before puberty to get them ready for marriage. During the course of a year being semi Nomadic the family will move from one homestead to another in search of grazing for the animals.
As the tribes are able to move freely, you tend to see them in the smaller towns in the central and northern section of Namibia trading or selling their amazing jewelry pieces, bush fragrances, bone daggers and trinkets. There are photo opportunities, but a small fee will be asked.
By Michelle Lewis
