The Himba Culture In Namibia

The Himba people are a semi-nomadic ethnic group with an estimated population of about 50,000 people living in the Kunene region of Namibia, primarily in the remote northwestern part of the country and on the other side of the Kunene River in southern Angola.  

Language:

The Himba people primarily speak OtjiHimba, which is a dialect of the Herero language, a Bantu language spoken by the Herero people in Namibia and parts of Botswana and Angola. OtjiHimba incorporates unique vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammatical structures specific to the Himba culture and their way of life. 

While OtjiHimba is the primary language of communication within the community, many Himba individuals also speak Afrikaans, English, or other regional languages due to interactions with neighboring communities and exposure to formal education and trade. However, OtjiHimba remains central to their cultural identity and is actively transmitted across generations within the community. 

Appearance and Dress:

The Himba are known for their striking appearance, characterized by their reddish-brown skin, which they achieve by applying a mixture of red ochre, butterfat, and herbs to their skin and hair. This practice not only protects their skin from the harsh desert sun but also holds cultural significance, symbolizing their connection to the earth and their ancestors. Women often adorn themselves with intricate hairstyles, made possible by braiding and covering their hair with the same mixture used on their skin. Both men and women wear traditional clothing, which typically consists of leather loincloths or skirts made from animal skins. 

Social Structure: The basic unit of Himba society is the family, typically consisting of extended family members living together. These family units are patrilineal, meaning they trace descent through the male line. Family ties are crucial for social cohesion and support. Himba society is organized around a patriarchal structure, with men typically responsible for herding livestock, while women handle domestic duties such as cooking, gathering water, and caring for children. Despite these traditional gender roles, women hold significant influence within the community and are responsible for passing down cultural knowledge and traditions to future generations. 

Marriage: Polygamy is common among the Himba, where men may have multiple wives. Polygamous marriages are often seen as a means of strengthening family ties and alliances. However, polygamy is not universal, and some men may have only one wife. They also practice arranged marriages. Young Himba girls are married to male partners chosen by their fathers. This happens from the onset of puberty, which may mean that girls aged 10 or below are married off. This practice is illegal in Namibia, and even some OvaHimba contest it, but it is nevertheless widespread. 

In traditional Himba society, the groom or his family is expected to pay a bride wealth (known as “lobola” or “mahangu”) to the bride’s family as a token of appreciation for their daughter. The bride wealth typically consists of livestock, such as cattle or goats, although in modern times, it may also include cash or other goods. The payment of bride wealth symbolizes the groom’s ability to provide for his bride and demonstrates respect for her family.

Livelihood and Livestock: The Himba are primarily pastoralists, relying on cattle, goats, and sheep for sustenance and wealth. Livestock play a central role in their culture, serving not only as a source of food and income but also as a symbol of social status and wealth. Cattle are particularly prized, and livestock ownership is often a measure of a family’s prosperity and prestige within the community. 

Spirituality and Beliefs: Himba spirituality is deeply rooted in animism and ancestor worship. They believe in a supreme being, Mukuru, as well as a pantheon of ancestral spirits who serve as intermediaries between the living and the divine. Rituals and ceremonies, including offerings and prayers, are performed to honor these ancestral spirits and seek their guidance and protection. The Himba also have complex beliefs surrounding childbirth, initiation rites, and death, all of which are marked by elaborate rituals and ceremonies. 

Community and Communal Living: Despite their semi-nomadic lifestyle, the Himba place a strong emphasis on community and communal living. Extended families often live together in traditional homesteads called kraals (Onganda), which consist of circular huts made from mud, thatch, and branches. These kraals are typically arranged around a central livestock enclosure and serve as the focal point of social and cultural life within the community. 

Child Birth

The Himba tribe has a unique way of counting the birth date of their children. They don’t start counting from the day the child is born or conceived. Instead, they count from the day the mother decides to have the child. When a Himba woman decides she wants to have a child, she goes and sits under a tree alone. She listens carefully until she hears the song of the child who wants to be born to her ( The Himba baby song) Once she hears this song, she returns to the man who will be the child’s father and teaches him the song. When the child is conceived, they sing this song to invite the child into the world. 

During pregnancy, the mother shares the child’s song with the midwives and the elderly women in the village. When the child is born, these people gather around and sing the child’s song to welcome them into the community. As the child grows, others in the village also learn the child’s song. 

If the child falls or gets hurt, someone picks them up and sings their song to comfort them. And when the child accomplishes something remarkable or reaches puberty, the villagers honor them by singing their song. 

Himba women typically give birth in a designated birthing hut, which is usually separate from the main living area. This hut provides privacy and a serene environment for the birthing process. It is built to the side of the headman’s hut, near the sacred fire, under the special protection of the ancestral spirits.  

Childbirth among the Himba is often assisted by experienced older women within the community who serve as midwives or traditional birth attendants. These women possess traditional knowledge passed down through generations and provide emotional and physical support to the mother during labor. The older women often use herbal remedies and traditional medicines to alleviate pain during childbirth and to aid in the recovery process afterward. These remedies are derived from local plants and are believed to have medicinal properties. 

Himba childbirth is accompanied by various rituals and traditions. After the week has passed, the child is given a sort of christening. The headman leads them in front of the sacred fire and introduces them to the spirits of the ancestors. This event is akin to an introduction to social life. The father performs this ritual to announce the birth of a child to the ancestors, seeking their blessings and protection for the newborn.  

Breastfeeding is highly encouraged among the Himba, and mothers typically breastfeed their infants exclusively for the first few months of life. Breastfeeding is not only a means of nourishment but also fosters bonding between the mother and child. 

Himba childbirth is considered a communal affair, with the entire community coming together to support the mother and celebrate the arrival of a new member. Family and friends play an active role in caring for both the mother and the newborn during the postpartum period. 

After birth, there is usually a naming ceremony where the newborn is officially given a name. The name may hold cultural significance or be chosen based on various factors such as the circumstances of the birth or familial traditions. 

Overall, childbirth among the Himba people is deeply intertwined with their cultural beliefs and traditions, emphasizing community support, respect for tradition, and a connection to the natural world. 

Himba people today

The Himba people of Namibia continue to maintain their traditional semi-nomadic pastoralist lifestyle in the Kunene region of northwestern Namibia. The Himba are renowned for their distinctive appearance, particularly the use of otjize, a mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment, which they apply to their skin and hair for cosmetic and protective purposes. 

The Himba are predominantly cattle herders, relying on their livestock for sustenance and economic livelihood. They have a strong sense of community and adhere to traditional customs and beliefs, although there has been some influence from modernization and interactions with other cultures. 

Efforts have been made to preserve the Himba way of life and protect their rights, including initiatives to promote sustainable tourism that respects their traditions and supports their communities. However, like many indigenous groups, the Himba face challenges such as encroachment on their land, limited access to healthcare and education, and the pressures of globalization.