Himba Village Tour

Himba Villages:

The Himba people are Namibia's last traditionally existing tribal group, and they are found in the northern reaches of Namibia in the Kaokoland. The Himba people have adapted over the years to life with hardly any water, and they survive on the meat and milk of the cattle and goats that they breed.

With a population estimated at around 50,000, they have maintained a distinct and resilient culture in one of the planet's most extreme environments. A visit to a Himba village offers a profound and authentic glimpse into a community deeply connected to their land, their livestock, and their ancestral traditions.

The most striking aspect of Himba culture is the women's use of otjize, a cosmetic paste made from butterfat and crushed red ochre pigment. This distinctive reddish hue is not just for adornment; it serves as a practical layer of protection against the harsh desert sun and insect bites, while also symbolising the earth's rich red colour and the essence of life.

Since water is incredibly scarce, the women maintain hygiene by taking daily "smoke baths" using the aromatic smoke of the omuzumba shrub. Their elaborate hairstyles and handcrafted jewellery of iron, copper, and shell further signify their age, social status, and marital standing.

While visiting a Himba-Herero village, you will learn how the Himba women cover their skin with a mixture of ochre and goats' fat to protect their skin from the harsh rays of the sun. The mixture makes their skin look red in colour, which symbolises the earth's burnt red colour, and the colour of blood, which symbolises life. You will also learn about how the tribe's people use hollowed-out pumpkins, called kalebasses, to store milk.

The Himba people wear little clothing and are traditionally topless with either loincloths or skirts. In the Himba culture, the ankles, rather than the breasts, of a woman are considered sexual, and therefore the women wear beaded anklets. These anklets also help to protect their legs from poisonous animal bites.

Gender roles are clearly defined yet interdependent. Men are primarily responsible for managing the herds and are often away for extended periods in search of better grazing, while women handle labour-intensive domestic tasks: carrying water, building homes, collecting firewood, and caring for children. The Himba society also practices a unique bilateral descent system, where inheritance and status pass through both maternal and paternal lines, offering a strong support network in their challenging environment.

Organised tours to a Himba village can be arranged through your tour operator.