Namibia is not only a place for wildlife; it is a land where cultures endure, where the Himba people, with their ochre-painted skin and ancient customs, carry a quiet wisdom passed down through generations.
On our way to Etosha we decided to make a small detour and visit the Omusaona Himba village in Kamanjab.
The entrance fee is used to fund their local school.
Once paid, you get assigned a Himba guide who explains -before you enter the village, the history of the tribe, how they survived the harsh environment and their semi nomadic lifestyle.
As is often the case in African tribes, the women take care of the biggest part of the household and children. Polygamy is banned, also in Namibia, but in reality 70 per cent of families have a child from outside marriage. The first moments we spent with the children who were overflowing with curiosity.
The women’s hair and general appearance is just stunning.
They apply a mixture of otjize, a paste made from butterfat and ochre powder, to their skin and hair. This practice is not only a form of beauty and hygiene but also has protective qualities against the harsh desert climate, as it acts as a sunscreen and helps to keep the skin moisturized. It also keeps them clean as water is scarce and bathing isn’t part of their culture. The paste is often a deep reddish color, which is symbolic of health, fertility, beauty and status within the tribe. Young girls wear their hair in two braids that fall toward their face. Women who have borne children wear a headdress of sheep or goatskin like the two women above.
At the end of our visit the tribe members set up a little market with their special necklaces, bracelets and beads. Be careful not to take anything they hand you, because they’ll insist you buy it.
In retrospect it felt a bit like poverty tourism.
On the way to Etosha, we stopped a few more times to enjoy the scenery.
At 1 of our stops, a group of children came running towards us enthusiastically. They turned out to be children from a small local primary school with their teacher. They wanted to show us the sign of Namibia. A hand gesture representing the map of Namibia.
