Himba pg 3
As I mentioned earlier, Katjiningua showed me how they make their jewelry. They have some
round, rough bits of metal that they file down until they are shiny. This is done by placing them
on the end of a pointed stick and filed as you can see above. I'm doing a horrible job
compared to his swift hands. This is one of my favourite pictures from the trip because it
captures their humour, friendliness and openness. If you cross them, you will not be treated
well and they will not stand for it, but if you treat them with respect, they will return it, just like
any of us really.
round, rough bits of metal that they file down until they are shiny. This is done by placing them
on the end of a pointed stick and filed as you can see above. I'm doing a horrible job
compared to his swift hands. This is one of my favourite pictures from the trip because it
captures their humour, friendliness and openness. If you cross them, you will not be treated
well and they will not stand for it, but if you treat them with respect, they will return it, just like
any of us really.
Yes, it is true, they do not wear very much clothing, but that is normal for them so it is of no concern.
Besides, it is hot.... But in all seriousness, many women here in the UK refuse to breast feed their
children, feeling it strange or uncomfortable. With the Himba it is simple: When a woman matures, she
grows breast. If she has children, she will feed her children with them because that is what they are for.
It may seem obvious, but it did make me reflect on how we view our bodies in the western world and how
that perspective has effected purpose. I wonder what they would think of the growing percentage of
British women who refuse to breast feed.
Besides, it is hot.... But in all seriousness, many women here in the UK refuse to breast feed their
children, feeling it strange or uncomfortable. With the Himba it is simple: When a woman matures, she
grows breast. If she has children, she will feed her children with them because that is what they are for.
It may seem obvious, but it did make me reflect on how we view our bodies in the western world and how
that perspective has effected purpose. I wonder what they would think of the growing percentage of
British women who refuse to breast feed.
The Chief and I with two of his sons on each side. From what I could understand, the son to my
right would most likely become the new chief once the current one decides not continue. All these
men are married, shown by the way they cover their hair. I'm not sure how many wives they each
have, but a compound we visited later, the chief had four. I only met one wife of this Chief but am not
sure if he had more.
right would most likely become the new chief once the current one decides not continue. All these
men are married, shown by the way they cover their hair. I'm not sure how many wives they each
have, but a compound we visited later, the chief had four. I only met one wife of this Chief but am not
sure if he had more.
This was our camp for the 4 days we spent with this group. There were 2 tents on the roof of the
truck that folded out. You can see the latter which leads into them. I guess it is safer to sleep on the
roof of the truck in certain areas, though we were told by Kemu, our guide, that there were no lions or
dangerous animals in this area. In one of the songs they sing (which I'll include on the next page)
they did sing about lions, but there didn't seem to be much of a concern. The biggest problem with
sleeping on the roof of the trucks is the shocks moving every time someone rolls over!
truck that folded out. You can see the latter which leads into them. I guess it is safer to sleep on the
roof of the truck in certain areas, though we were told by Kemu, our guide, that there were no lions or
dangerous animals in this area. In one of the songs they sing (which I'll include on the next page)
they did sing about lions, but there didn't seem to be much of a concern. The biggest problem with
sleeping on the roof of the trucks is the shocks moving every time someone rolls over!
I hope to add more to this soon... when
time permits. Feel free to contact me if
you have any quetions.
Thanks
time permits. Feel free to contact me if
you have any quetions.
Thanks
