Himba Mother

Portrait of a Himba woman with her baby (Namibia).

The Himba people are an indigenous ethnic group mainly living in the remote northwestern regions of Namibia. They are semi-nomadic pastoralists, primarily herding cattle and goats, which play a central role in their economy, culture, and social structure. Livestock is not only a source of food but also a symbol of wealth and status.
The Himba are best known for their distinctive appearance. Both men and women use a traditional cosmetic paste called otjize, made from red ochre powder mixed with butterfat and aromatic herbs. 
Himba women are especially noted for their intricate hairstyles, which reflect their age, social status, and stage in life. For example, young girls wear two braids (called ozondato), while married women and mothers wear more elaborate styles, often incorporating ornaments made of shells, beads, and animal hair. Men also wear specific hairstyles depending on their age and status, including a single braid known as ondatu for young unmarried men.
Clothing is minimal but highly symbolic. Women typically wear leather skirts made from calfskin and accessorize with handcrafted jewelry made from iron, copper, shells, and ostrich eggshells. Men wear loincloths and also decorate themselves with jewelry.
Traditional Himba homes are dome-shaped huts constructed from a mix of sticks, mud, and cow dung. These dwellings are arranged in circular family compounds, usually centered around a sacred fire, which represents the spiritual link between the living and their ancestors. The fire is tended to regularly and holds deep religious and cultural significance.
Despite the growing influence of modern society, the Himba have managed to preserve much of their traditional way of life, language (Otjiherero), and customs.

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