Peoples of Africa: Meet the Himba of Namibia.

Do you know the Himba of Namibia? No? Then you will get to know.

Africa is one of the continents with some peoples that still keep their cultures intact, or almost.

Today, we continue the series of several articles about some of these African peoples (but very few) who managed to preserve their cultures intact for centuries.

In remote areas and rich plains of the continent, there are groups of people who continue to live peacefully, without depending on any of the inventions that the modern world values ​​so highly.

We bring to our readers some of those communities whose traditions, customs, and way of life have surprisingly withstood the test of time and the sweeping force of modernization.

Although debatable for some, we cannot fail to recognize the courage of those who continue to live the way their ancestors lived generations ago.

the Himba

The existence of the Himba tribe dates back to the early XNUMXth century, when they migrated south across the border into Angola and settled in Kaokoland (now known as Kunene), where they live in the scattered settlements of the region, remaining faithful to their traditions and customs. of centuries.

At that time, they still identified themselves as part of the Herero, from which they separated after a bovine epidemic at the end of the XNUMXth century, giving rise to the Himba identity.

A particularity of these people at that time was the fact that they used a matriarchal system, that is, the women were in charge and they were the owners of the houses, children, cattle and all the equipment in the village. The men were limited to guarding the cattle and procreating, with the women doing everything else.

Today there are approximately 30.000 to 50.000 members of this seminomadic group who move according to the best location for grazing cattle. However, they usually return to the same villages every year.

Traditions and Customs

Traditional Himba houses are round structures made of clay and cow dung. It is not by chance, since this mixture softens the temperature during the day and keeps the heat for the nights that are very cold. The temperature variation in this region is enormous, reaching 45 degrees in the summer and the feeling of freezing in the winter.

The traditional greeting used is a handshake, followed by the phrase “Moro, Perivi, Nawa” which means respectively “Hello, How are you? Good!". The language used is otjiherero, a Niger-Congo language, spoken by the Herero in Namibia, Angola and Botswana.

One of the most striking traits of the Himba tribe is the fact that women cannot use water to wash themselves. The habit dates back to the great droughts that devastated the ancestors, so body cleansing is done through the "daily smoke bath".

They put some charcoal in a small bowl of herbs and wait for the smoke to start rising, then they bend over the bowl and, due to the heat, begin to perspire. In order for the “wash” to be deeper, they cover themselves with a blanket.

Men and women wear soft leather thong. Himba women are famous for their unique hairstyles and wear “otjize” – a paste of red ochre, butter and fat – which they spread on their hair and skin, making their bodies glow with beauty.

Since puberty, women braid their hair and start applying this paste all over their bodies, giving them a striking reddish tone. O "otjize” also protects the skin from the sun, but this tradition is done essentially for aesthetic reasons.

There is still the symbolic meaning, uniting the red of the earth and the blood that is the symbol of life.

The God Mukuru

Faith and religiosity constitute an essential pillar in the life of the Himba people. Belief in Mukuru, the supreme deity in their cosmovision, plays a central role in their daily lives and in their understanding of the world.

Mukuru is revered as a supreme being, a transcendental force that governs all aspects of life. However, direct communication with Mukuru is considered a privilege reserved for ancestors who, after death, become intermediary spirits between the Himba people and Mukuru.

To keep this spiritual connection alive, the Himba cultivate the “okuruwo“, the sacred fire, an element that symbolizes the constant presence of Mukuru and the ancestors in the community. This fire is kept burning continuously and is considered the spiritual heart of every Himba village.

Through "okuruwo“, the Himba perform rituals and ceremonies that honor their ancestors and ask for their intercession with Mukuru. These rituals are moments of deep connection with the divine, in which they express their desires, thanks and requests for protection and blessings.

Every aspect of Himba life is permeated by their faith. Despite the challenging desert environment they live in, they manage to keep their traditions alive and survive in relatively isolated communities. Their resistance is undoubtedly reinforced by their deep belief in Mukuru and their respect for ancestral traditions.

It is interesting to note how the Himba religion reflects their deep connection with nature and their adaptation to the hostile environment in which they live. Through their faith, they find meaning and purpose, maintaining harmony with the natural world that surrounds them, in a show of respect and reverence for divine creation.

The holy fireokuruwo“, the constant presence of Mukuru and the intercession of the ancestors thus form the core of Himba spirituality, a heritage that passes from generation to generation, keeping alive the flame of their cultural identity.

The Current Challenges of the Himba

Despite their history marked by trials, the Himba people have shown remarkable resilience. At the beginning of the 1904th century, more precisely in XNUMX, they were victims of a brutal genocide, perpetrated by the colonizers and the German army, an event that left deep scars in the collective memory of the Himba.

However, the present brings with it new challenges. With the advancement of modernization and globalization, the traditional way of life of the Himba is under more and more pressure. External influences, such as tourism, the advancement of infrastructure and access to technology, have generated significant impacts on its culture and customs.

On the one hand, exposure to the outside world has brought benefits, such as access to health care, education and material goods. On the other hand, this same exposure has threatened the preservation of ancestral traditions, causing a culture shock that has led many Himba to consider the continuation of their ancestral traditions.

Another challenge faced by the Himba is the exploitation of their territories by mining companies and the consequent threat to the livelihood of their communities. The fight for territorial rights and the preservation of the environment is a crucial issue for these people who depend directly on the land and its resources for their survival.

Despite these challenges, the Himba have demonstrated incredible survival. Its ability to resist and adapt, while maintaining its cultural identity and traditions, is a testament to its indomitable spirit.

This delicate balance between preserving the past and adapting to the present is a subject that raises discussions, but which attests to the strength and determination of this extraordinary people. The history of the Himba, therefore, is a living example that the culture and traditions of a people can survive, even in the face of the most imposing challenges.

However, the question remains: how can the Himba, and other indigenous peoples, protect their cultural heritage in an ever-changing world? This is a necessary reflection for all of us, as cultural diversity is a heritage that enriches all of humanity.

Conclusion

Over the centuries, the Himba have demonstrated a remarkable ability to resist and adapt to adversity, without ever straying from their deeply rooted traditions.

This people, despite the challenges imposed by modernity - such as the growth of , the expansion of infrastructure, and the exploration of its territories – it seeks a balance between preserving its culture and adapting to a world in constant change.

The Himba story is a lesson in endurance and perseverance, a reminder of the importance of cultural diversity and respect for different ways of life. These people remain a beacon of tradition in a globalized world, continuing to write their history with courage and determination, while facing the challenges of modernity.

His saga is an inspiration, living proof that it is possible to preserve our roots while looking to the future.

I hope you are enjoying our journey through the fascinating universe of the peoples of Africa. Join us on this discovery, where each article will reveal more about its traditions and rich culture. Until the next article!

Do you find it interesting to get to know a little more about the Himba culture of Namibia and their traditions? Share your opinion with us in the comments and don't hesitate to add information about this, or other cultures you know and, if you liked the article, share it and leave a “like”.

See too:

Peoples of Africa: Meet the Dogon of Mali

Peoples of Africa: The Kara of the Omo River

Picture: © DR