I had an anthropology class where the teacher lived with these people for two years if I remember correctly, fascinating stuff. They would literally scream demons out of your head, I was used as an example to the class
So, the headpiece on her head signifies that she is married. Men in that tribe have a braid down the back, and cover it with a turban once they are married.
This is otjize, a paste of butter, fat and red ochre, sometimes scented with aromatic resin, that Himba women apply each morning to their skin and hair, giving them a distinctive red hue. The sight of traditional Himba women has become an iconic image of Africa, but only occurs in Namibia, a country bordering South Africa and Botswana.
There has been much speculation about the origins of this practice, with some claiming it is to protect their skin from the sun, or repel insects. But the Himba say it is an aesthetic consideration, a sort of traditional make-up they apply every morning when they wake. Men do not apply otjize.
Himba these days mostly co-exists with modern westerners, but still live, eat and breathe the traditions of their ancestors.
PS.
I'm from South Africa and got the opportunity to go visit one of the tribes in Namibia, close to the border.
Shadowman40 on June 29th, 2020 at 07:34 UTC »
I had an anthropology class where the teacher lived with these people for two years if I remember correctly, fascinating stuff. They would literally scream demons out of your head, I was used as an example to the class
BlackThummb on June 29th, 2020 at 09:26 UTC »
So, the headpiece on her head signifies that she is married. Men in that tribe have a braid down the back, and cover it with a turban once they are married.
PhpNuke1023 on June 29th, 2020 at 11:06 UTC »
This is otjize, a paste of butter, fat and red ochre, sometimes scented with aromatic resin, that Himba women apply each morning to their skin and hair, giving them a distinctive red hue. The sight of traditional Himba women has become an iconic image of Africa, but only occurs in Namibia, a country bordering South Africa and Botswana.
There has been much speculation about the origins of this practice, with some claiming it is to protect their skin from the sun, or repel insects. But the Himba say it is an aesthetic consideration, a sort of traditional make-up they apply every morning when they wake. Men do not apply otjize.
Himba these days mostly co-exists with modern westerners, but still live, eat and breathe the traditions of their ancestors.
PS.
I'm from South Africa and got the opportunity to go visit one of the tribes in Namibia, close to the border.
Here is an article : https://www.infringe.com/himba-hair-rituals/ .