The Himba – The Fascinating People of the Namibia’s North

The Himba people of the Kunene region in Namibia have captured the imaginations of travellers and anthropologists for years with their cultural practices and adherence to a semi-nomadic pastoral existence in difficult desert conditions.

Who are they?

As with all Bantu speaking peoples, their origins are Central and East African. They settled permanently in their current homeland only after the First World War. The name Himba was only used to describe this group from the late 19^th century. There are between 20 000 to 50 000 Himba people left in Namibia.

The language they speak is called OtjiHimba, a dialect of the Bantu language, Herero.

The Himba have not had an easy time of it, facing obliteration on a number of occasions. The German colonialists attempted to exterminate them in 1904. Severe drought in the mid-1980’s killed 90 per cent of their cattle resulting in starving refugees stumbling out of the desert into slums in nearby towns. Some even joined the occupying South African army, then fighting in Angola, to survive.

How do they live now?

The Himba have resisted change and managed to maintain many of their traditional customs in large part because they live in an isolated and harsh environment. That said, because have not lived where they are for very long and because their history is largely an oral record, it is difficult to tell exactly how old some of their customs and practices are.

They are essentially semi-nomadic herders who move their herds of cattle and goats from waterhole to waterhole. If there is sufficient grazing and water in an area, then they will remain there for an extended period. Their livestock are central to their cultural beliefs and practices, the animals providing a connection to the ancestors through sacrifice.

Members of the extended family live in homesteads centred on the okuruwo (ancestral fire) and a livestock shelter. Like livestock, this fire is culturally important because it provides ancestral protection.

People are often most impressed by the shiny, red appearance of the Himba people. They cream their bodies with otjize – a mixture of rancid butter fat and ochre, often scented with aromatic resin from the omuzumba shrub. This cream gives the body an intense red glow and is also used by the women to braid hair.

Traditionally, clothes consist of animal skin skirts for both men and women, both going topless. These days, more and more western clothing is being worn for convenience. Jewellery can also be important and items made of copper, shells and other items are worn by those who can afford them.

Their religion is based largely on ancestor worship but includes an overarching deity called Mukuru. The ancestors intercede on behalf of the people. Also, similar to many Bantu peoples on the sub-continent and beyond, there is a strong belief in witchcraft (omiti). To this end, illness and misfortune are often blamed on curses placed by rivals.

Traditional Tribal System

The Himba tribal system is interesting and unusual. It is based on the concept of bilateral descent. In this system, children inherit two clan names. Bilateral descent allows individuals to depend on two families for support. This is common now in western cultures but in traditional societies it is generally limited to people who live in extreme environments where dependence on one or other parent’s family would be detrimental.

As with most pre-industrial (and many post-industrial) societies, wives go to live with their husband’s clan but children do not inherit their fathers’ wealth (livestock etc.). Rather, it is a maternal uncle from whom they will derive their inherited wealth.

What about now and the future?

The rains in the 1990’s were generally good and since then, the Himba people have successfully managed to re-establish their herds and establish communities on nature conservancies that protect their ancestral land rights. Here they live mostly traditional lives although there are areas where children are receiving schooling from mobile schools where they learn English. Ironically, the education may prove the end of the old way of life for the Himba as children learn about the world outside of the conservancies in which they live.

On the other hand, tourist interest in the Himba way of life has meant some people show tourists the traditional way of life for cash. This can hardly be seen as traditional but rather a way the culture is adapting our generally neo-liberal and globalised world.

Where can I meet Himba People?

The Wilderness Safaris and Safari Adventure Company camps in the Kunene region (Serra Cafema Camp, Palmwag Lodge and Skeleton Coast Camp) all offer excursions where you can meet Himba people and talk to them about their lives, hopes and expectations.