Himba
The Himba ethnic group, who have kept
their ethnic individuality and culture in the seclusion of Kaokoland.
The friendly people are closely related to the Herero. Both ethnic
groups speak the same language. The Himba are a pastoral people.
They predominantly breed cattle and goats and lead a nomadic life.
Depending on the time of year, they move with their herds to different
watering places. Clothes, hairstyle and jewellery are all of particular
significance to the Himba and are part of their tradition and culture.
Even newborn babies are adorned with pearl necklaces. When the children
are a little older, bangles made of beaten copper and shells are
added. The proud Himba women take several hours for beauty care
every morning. The entire body is rubbed with a cream, which consists
of rancid butterfat and ochre powder. The aromatic resin of the
Omuzumba bush is added as well. The cream lends the body an intense
reddish shine, which corresponds to the Himba ideal of beauty. The
ancient tribe of semi-nomadic pastoralists occupied Kunene region
of the country. The Himbas (who are relatives of Herero) are an
extraordinary people who have resisted change and preserved their
unique cultural heritage. The Himbas were impoverished by Nama cattle
raiders in the middle of 1800's and then forced to be hunter-gatherers.
Because of these events they were called the Tjimba, derived form
the word meaning aardvark, the animal that digs for its food. Many
Himbas fled to Angola where they were called Ovahimba, meaning 'beggars'.
They left with their leader called Vita (''war''). After World War
1 he resettled his people in Kaokoland. Since these events the Himbas
were living their nomadic pastoralist lives. But now more and more
they have to reconcile traditional ways with European values. One
of most interesting rituals of these people is that of the ritual
fire, the ''okoruwo''. The fire provides contact between the living
and the dead, which is necessary for harmonious living and keeping
the ancestors happy. It is kept alive until the death of the headman.
When this happens, his hut and the fire is destroyed. His family
dance in mourning throughout the night. Before his burial everyone
says to him: "Karepo nawa" (''keep well''). Later a fresh
mopane tree is lit from the embers of the old fire.
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