Foto's

Himba … originally part of the nomadic Herero tribe that lived in southern Angola and migrated to Namibia in the early 16th century, they were driven into the waterless and inhospitable Kaokoland area by the Ovambo’s who guarded their own territory jealously and ferociously. They still live a nomadic existence, often abandoning their mud huts and settlements in search of water for themselves and their herds of cattle, goats and sheep, which are their main currency and provide for all their necessities in the way of milk, meat, clothing and utensils. The women rub ‘otjize’ over themselves, which is a mixture of butter fat, red rock powder and sap from a local tree. It gives their bodies a glowing red colour and protects them from the sun and insects.