Himba

The Himba, also known as OvaHimba, are an Indigenous pastoralist people living primarily in the Kunene Region of northwestern Namibia, with smaller communities in southern Angola (Cunene Province). They number in the tens of thousands. They speak Otjihimba, a Bantu language closely related to Herero.

Traditionally semi-nomadic, the Himba economy centers on cattle herding, with goats also kept for milk and meat. Some households engage in small-scale farming and crafts. Communities are organized around kin groups, with elders and local leaders guiding daily life. Villages typically form around a central cattle kraal and huts made from local materials.

The Himba are renowned for their distinctive appearance. Skin and hair are coated with otjize, a paste made from butterfat and red ochre, which protects the skin from the sun and insects and serves as a beauty standard. Women often wear ankle-length skirts and elaborate beaded jewelry, and their hairstyles vary by age and social status. Men generally wear minimal clothing, such as leather skirts or loincloths. Jewelry, especially beads and metal adornments, is common for both genders.

Religiously, Himba life blends traditional beliefs with ancestor veneration and a creator deity, with many communities also incorporating Christian elements or adopting syncretic practices. Practices around marriage and family life are rooted in kinship and social obligations, with community norms guiding provisioning and responsibilities.

In recent decades, external pressures such as land-rights disputes, climate variability, and tourism have affected Himba communities. Some groups maintain traditional practices while adapting to schooling, cash economies, and changing mobility, illustrating a continuity of culture within evolving circumstances.