The Himba are a semi-nomadic people who lived mostly in northern Namibia’s Kaokoland.  They herd cattle and goats, moving from place to place with the seasons.  The houses they build are left behind when they move, and sometimes reused when they return (if there is anything left of them).  The Himba have fairly successfully resisted outside influence, and still live in a very traditional way.  We were lucky to spend some time at a village dedicated to helping orphaned children, refugee Himba children from Angola, and single and divorced Himba women trying to make it on their own.

We learned about the hours-long process of washing and cleansing every morning undertaken by the Himba women, who never use water to wash.  The process involves the use of smoke to cleanse body and clothing.  They sit in the smoke for an hour or so to make sweat.  Everything is cleaned with the smoke, including cosmetic pots, which are used for the next process, adornment.  A mixture of rancid butterfat and ochre, scented with the aromatic resin of the Omuzumba shrub is applied to the whole body from the cosmetic pot. This cream gives the body an intense reddish glow, which reflects the Himba ideal of beauty.  The ochre also protects from the sun, and gives the Himba women beautiful, soft, blemish free skin.  Jewelry and hair styles are also very important, especially for Himba women.  The village queen told us this and many other things while we sat with her in her hut.  All of the women and children were very friendly, and we were greeted with “moro” (hello) to which our reply was “peri vi” (how are you?) and finally “nawa” (good or fine).  We did our best and got lots of smiles in return.

Of the 26 children in the village, two boys and two girls go to school.  The Himba are hesitant to send their children, because it often leads to losing their traditions as children start wearing different clothing, learning new language, and grow up and choose to leave the community.

After the visit we had the opportunity to buy crafts and jewelry from the women, and we offered our thanks and farewells: “Karenawa, Okuhepa.”

More Himba pics.