Portrait Of A Himba Woman

The Himba are indigenous peoples with an estimated population of about 50,000 people living in northern Namibia, in the Kunene Region. Both the Himba men and women are accustomed to wearing traditional clothing that befits their living environment in the hot Kaokoland. Himba people, especially women, are remarkably famous for covering themselves with otjize paste, a cosmetic mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment, to cleanse the skin over long periods due to water scarcity and protect themselves from the extremely hot and dry climate as well as insect bites. The cosmetic mixture, often perfumed with the aromatic resin of the omuzumba shrub, gives their skin and hair plaits a distinctive orange or red-tinge characteristic, as well as texture and style. Hairstyle and jewelry play a significant role among the OvaHimba, indicating age and social status within their community – Van ZyL’S Pass, Kaokoland, Namibia