Himba
Kaokoland

Himba woman with baby Kaokoland is home to some 6000 Himba. These friendly people are closely related to the Herero and speak the same language. The Himba are herdsmen, breeding mainly cattle and goats while leading a semi-nomadic life. They migrate with their herds to the different waterholes from season to season.

For the Himba, clothes, hair and jewellery hold a special meaning and form an important part of their tradition and culture. Even newborn babies are adorned with pearl necklaces while older children are given bracelets crafted from copper and decorated with shells.

The proud Himba women spend many hours on beauty care and grooming every day. They cream their whole body with a mixture of rancid butterfat and ochre, scented with the aromatic resin of the Omuzumba shrub. The cream lends the body an intense reddish glow, which reflects the Himba ideal of beauty.

Due to the uncontrolled influx of tourists into the Kaokoveld, the Himba's lifestyle and culture have become increasingly endangered. Out of ignorance, tourists are introducing many alien concepts to the Himba culture, like giving sweets to the children and alcohol to the men. As a result of, many Himba have become beggars and alcoholics. Although many demand better control of Himba tourism and to declare the entire region a conservation area, the Namibian government are reluctant to take action and actually accuse the Himba people of being uncivilised and a hinderence against progress.

Top right: young Himba woman at Omumborumbonga tree. Bottom left: At the Kunene river, Kaokoveld. Top left: Himba woman with baby in the Kaokoveld.

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Himba Kaokoland

Himba
Kaokoland