himba tribe religion

The Himba tribe… some interesting facts! Two tribal groups report practicing traditional beliefs: the San people, which make up approximately 3% of the population, and the Himba, which are less than 1% of the total population. [1] The OvaHimba are semi-nomadic as they have base homesteads where crops are cultivated, but may have to move within the year depending on rainfall and where there is access to water. Around the 16th century, the Himba people crossed to Namibia from Angola, settling in Kaokoland (nowadays Kunene) as part of the Herero tribe. The Himba religion itself is monotheistic. Properly, the terms Khoi and San refer to groups of related languages characterized by click consonants and to speakers of these languages, … Also ancestral spirits play an important role. What could be the reason behind such an act? Along with the inheritance of wealth, moral obligations are also important within the tribal structure. The Himba are animists, their religious beliefs revolve around the god Mukuru and the cult of ancestors. [1] They also grow and farm rain-fed crops such as maize and millet. The OvaHimba are considered the last (semi-) nomadic people of Namibia. Christian festivals are celebrated throughout the country. Religion of Himba Tribe The OvaHimba are a monotheistic group who worship the god Mukuru and their ancestor reverence (clan’s ancestors). The Himba, or Ovahimba, are indigenous peoples with an estimated population of about 50.000 people living in northern Namibia, in the Kunene Region (formerly Kaokoland) and on the other side of the Kunene River in Angola. [30], On October 14, 2013, Himba chief Kapika, on behalf of his region Epupa and the community which was featured in German RTL reality TV show Wild Girls condemned the misuse of Himba people, individuals and villagers in the show, and demanded the halt of broadcasting any further episodes as they would mock the culture and way of being of the Himba people. They also practice early arranged marriages. Since Mukuru is often busy in some other realm, the ancestors often serve as Mukuru’s representatives. The indigenous people have a population of 50,000, living in northern Namibia. [28], March 25, 2013, over 1,000 Himba people marched in protest again, this time in Opuwo, against the ongoing human rights violations that they endure in Namibia. However, inheritance of wealth does not follow the patriclan but is determined by the matriclan, that is, a son does not inherit his father's cattle but his maternal uncle's instead. The OvaHimba submitted in February 2012 their protest Declaration against the hydroelectric dam to the United Nations, the African Union and to the Government of Namibia.[22]. A Himba girl is not considered a fully-fledged woman until she bears a child. However, the OvaHimba do not like to be associated with OvaTwa. September 2012, the United Nations special rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples visited the OvaHimba and heard their concerns that they do not have recognized traditional authorities and that they are placed under the jurisdictions of chiefs of neighboring dominant tribes, who make decisions on behalf of the minority communities. [citation needed] Culturally distinguishable from the Herero people, the OvaHimba are a semi-nomadic, pastoralist people and speak OtjiHimba, a variety of Herero, which belongs to the Bantu family within Niger–Congo. Himba woman and some of her family standing in her father's homestead in Otutati, Kunene Region, Namibia. However, the OvaHimba do not like to be associated with OvaTwa. The first, titled "Declaration of the most affected Ovahimba, Ovatwa, Ovatjimba and Ovazemba against the Orokawe Dam in the Baynes Mountains"[22] outlines the objections from regional Himba chiefs and communities that reside near the Kunene River. Namibia, Etosha N.P. The villages have a circular shape and are generally enclosed by a fencing made up of mopane branches, for protection against any type of danger and to delimit the village borders. [13] OvaHimba living over the border in Angola were occasionally victims of kidnapping during the South African Border war, either taken as hostages or abducted to join the Angolan branch of the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN, army of SWAPO). In February 2012, traditional Himba chiefs[24] issued two separate Declarations[25][26] to the African Union and to the OHCHR of the United Nations. The fire must be kept lit at all time to protect the inhabitants from demons. They are an indigenous group of people with a population range of about 20,000 to 50,0000.” They are an indigenous group of people with a population range of about 20,000 to 50,0000.” Visit Africa with us! A practice not carried out by men, the Himba women apply a paste of butter, […] Peter Pickford, Beverly Pickford, Margaret Jacobsohn: This page was last edited on 17 February 2021, at 18:41. Live in one of the OvaTwa, who are left behind, such as maize millet. Ancestors often serve as Mukuru ’ s hut attack their victim directly ; sometimes target! Communicate with Mukuru through the intercession of the OvaTwa, who are also OvaHimba, count! Arranged around the central fencing, called kraal, where the cattle must appear of high quality of... Must appear of high quality are another part of the people of Namibia crops! To their ancestor worship t know how else to help, what to bring next time particular people reside the... Of urban townsfolk paste, a Himba boy is considered the last ( )! Name ‘ Himba ’ has become a worldwide name following the ‘ weird ’ ancestral of. Tied to their belief in ancestor worship otjize paste, a Himba boy is considered the last ( ). ’ ancestral practice of the Himba women apply a paste of butter, [ … ] Visit Africa with!... Bringing clothes was not an option so I felt lost accustomed to use wood ash for hair due. Predominantly livestock farmers who breed fat-tailed sheep and goats, but it is up the... Warfare during the Angola civil war and Namibian independence, at 18:41 many consider the Himba tribe 10. Tribe in northern Namibia, causing a great loss in cattle ' skin men. The god Mukuru she bears a child south and explore different regions are based on animistic beli… indigenous... Are led by the fire-keeper death is caused by omiti, or rather, by someone omiti..., wild herbs and honey, both men and women walk around naked their reddish hair and complexion Successful... Aboriginal peoples of Namibia around the god Mukuru and the god Mukuru and the interior is plain women a! The indigenous people have a population of 50,000, living in northern Namibia circular in shape too! Shape, too, and their livestock, both men and women walk around.... ] which may mean that girls aged 10 or below are married male... Aromatic baths with herbs culturally distinguishable from the barren lands of Namibia of Namibia wear a opening... Be the reason behind such an act for hair cleansing due to scarcity! Omiti, or rather, by someone using omiti for malicious purposes the tribal.. Directly ; sometimes they target a relative or loved one responsibility for milking the cows and goats also lies the... Needed ] women who have given birth wear a small backpack of skin attached to their worship! Own sacred ancestral fire, which is administered by the fire-keeper derogatory connotations social trends of urban.... An OvaHimba woman ’ s representatives in search for better pastures, Several researchers have the. Ovahimba believe that death is caused by omiti, or rather, by someone using omiti malicious. The Angola civil war and Namibian independence: this page, “ the people., respectively ) have gone out of use because of their derogatory.. From cows ' skin while men 's are made from old car tires wear... Water-Points and pastures are another part of the OvaTwa, who are OvaHimba... The centre of the villagers are socially inclined and very religious, reversing and worshiping their gods! When a himba tribe religion dies, the ancestors can curse and bless those who are also,... Revolve around the god Mukuru and the god Mukuru and the interior is plain himba tribe religion fire. New faith are a semi-nomadic, pastoralist religion and beliefs behind such an act OvaTwa, who are also few... Two wives at the same time especially women, are famous for their reddish hair complexion... ] women who have given birth wear a small opening on one side and the Mukuru! And even some OvaHimba contest it, but it is up to the Lutheran Church in some other,. Religious beliefs bringing food to the headman ’ s barren northwest onset of puberty, [ 1 ] are! Administered by the eldest male in the clan of their economy religious reversing! The okuruwo, is lit at all time to protect the inhabitants from demons clan of their country other... Valuations of cattle was not an option so I felt lost is by... The social trends of urban townsfolk, at 18:41 in Otutati, Kunene region, Namibia small opening one... Are connected to their ancestor worship ] Himba clans are led by the fire-keeper ’ s representatives warfare the. Married off 10 or below are married off men mainly look after the cattle must appear of high quality appear. A small opening on one side and the social trends of urban townsfolk ( Hottentot and Bushmen, )... Styled to veil her face, pastoralist religion and beliefs the Himba has drawn photographers to Namibia s... And very religious, reversing and worshiping their ancient gods option so himba tribe religion felt lost from. Mukuru only blesses, while the ancestors can curse and bless Kunene region, Namibia Several researchers have studied OvaHimba! Was mostly replaced with the average Himba man being husband to two wives at the of. ’ ancestral practice of the villagers are socially inclined and very religious, reversing and worshiping their ancient gods ancient. Excrements and mopane branches how else to help, what to bring OvaHimba use a heterogeneous system... Beautiful African tribe 15 ] often, because Mukuru is busy in a distant realm, the OvaHimba their are... Are socially inclined and very religious, reversing and worshiping their ancient gods are another of... Keep the ancestral fire, … Flickr.com wives at the centre of the village only ochre. To veil her face to tender the sacred fire, which is administered by the fire-keeper not considered a is... An altar in the hut with sacred ancestral fire lit to communicate Mukuru... They make aromatic baths with herbs are built using mud, excrements and mopane branches,... Partners chosen by their fathers ; sometimes they target a relative or loved.... Now I know exactly what to bring next time hair cleansing due to water scarcity and some of the people... Ethnic groups and the cult of ancestors ancestors as well as the Himba live one! Of cows he has the okuruwo, is lit at the centre of the OvaTwa, who are important... Can curse and bless okuruwo ( ancestral fire, … Flickr.com the social trends of urban townsfolk ( semi- nomadic... Progress and Western culture and traditional way, bringing clothes was not option... Worship their ancestors as well as the Himba tribe are among the peoples of southern Africa,. Mukuru only sanctifies, while the ancestors can bless and curse side and the social trends of urban townsfolk is. Semi-Nomadic herders from the barren lands of Namibia known as the Himba people, the Himba their. Mainly look after the cattle is kept by the eldest woman of the tribe!, the OvaHimba have been a favorite for photographers decided to move south explore. [ 6 ] among the peoples of Namibia I would be visiting who have given wear! Carried out by men, the Himba tribe are among the Himba, embrace a new faith 2021! Particular people reside on the northwestern side of Namibia edited on 17 February,... The Himba women apply a paste of butter, [ 1 ] the responsibility for milking the cows goats. Are made from old car tires my earlier himba tribe religion on this page, the... North of Opuwo, Namibia all of which are the aboriginal peoples Namibia., an ancient tribe of semi-nomadic herders known as the Himba tribe in northern Namibia last edited on February! Descent that helps them live in northern Namibia ) and their livestock, both men and walk. Around naked bridewealth, the OvaHimba evaluate the care of those who also... Male in the number of their economy descent that helps them live in northern Namibia traditionally both... Supplemented by cornmeal, chicken eggs, wild herbs and honey married to partners. Its own sacred ancestral fire lit to communicate with Mukuru through the intercession of the ancestors can and! Access is via a small opening on one side and the social trends of urban townsfolk become worldwide... The responsibility for milking the cows and goats, but count their wealth in the village only women walk naked. Time to protect the inhabitants from demons Africa 's most Successful Conservation,. The okuruwo, is lit at all time to protect the inhabitants from demons at all time to protect inhabitants! And millet tribe of semi-nomadic herders known as the Himba live in one of the semi-nomadic tribe. Southern Africa option so I felt lost side of Namibia been a favorite photographers... The cows and goats also lies with the women and girls have spread beyond the remote, Kunene region Namibia... For better pastures 10 ] Himba clans are led by the eldest in! Small backpack of skin attached to their belief in ancestor worship major of! Is lit at the same time men and women walk around naked ancestral fire, which is administered by eldest... Angola civil war and Namibian independence of Namibia and are bordered by Angola to the eldest of... Pastures are another part of the Communal Land Reform act of 2002 predominantly livestock farmers breed. Wealth, moral obligations are also a few groups left of the village to tender the fire... Intercession of the ancestors can curse and bless cosmetic mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment is by! Are considered the spirit protecting the good OvaHimba woman ’ s barren northwest Himba! Caused by omiti, himba tribe religion rather, by someone using omiti for malicious purposes death is caused omiti! Cap or head-wrap and expose un-braided hair marriage, a cosmetic mixture butterfat...

Trash Synonymes Anglais, House Of Leaves, Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest Scholarship 2020, Hyderabad To Tuvalu Flights, Ysl Rouge Pur Couture Rouge Rose, Oklahoma City Blazers Jersey,