Are you tired of the same old beach vacations? Do you long for a trip that truly touches your soul? So, please follow my footsteps and set foot on this red land to discover the last primitive tribes on the African continent - the Himba
In the vast desert hinterland of Namibia, the Himba people have continued the way of life of their ancestors for generations, living by water and grass and herding as if time had stood still here, and the most impressive thing is the unique red mud makeup of the Himba women
They mix red clay with butter and spices, carefully daub the whole body, looking from a distance, like a walking sculpture, full of primitive wild beauty, this red mud is not only a decoration, but also a symbol of identity, representing their identification and inheritance of tribal culture
You might wonder, don't they feel uncomfortable going without a bath all year? In fact, this red mud has a natural sunscreen and insect repellent effect, which helps them to resist the sun and mosquitoes, and in the Himba culture, red mud symbolizes life and vitality, which is a manifestation of their harmonious coexistence with nature
The life of the Himba people is inseparable from the cattle, the cattle is their wealth, but also their spiritual sustenance, every morning, the Himba men will drive the cattle to the water source to drink, while the women are busy milking and making milk products at home
In the evening, when the sun is setting over the land and the Himba men are slowly returning with their cattle, the distant sound of cattle bells echoes like an old song in the empty desert
Himba people have deep feelings for cattle, they will name each cow, will carefully take care of each sick cow, in the Himba world, cattle is not only livestock, but also family existence
The night sky in Namibia is so pure that when the night falls, the stars are shining, the Milky Way crosses the sky and seems to be within reach, and the Himba people sit around the campfire, looking up at the stars and telling the ancient legends passed down from generation to generation
Legend has it that their ancestors came from the far north, traveled all the way south, and eventually settled in this land, believing that each star represented a departed soul, guarding their descendants
In such a night, you will feel an unprecedented quiet, as if time has slowed down, you will forget the noise of the city, forget the troubles of life, only the stars and ancient legends are left to accompany you through this wonderful night
With the development of tourism, more and more tourists come to Namibia, which also brings the impact of modern civilization to the Himba people, some Himba people begin to go out of the tribe, contact the outside world, and learn new knowledge and skills
Most Himba still cling to their traditional way of life. They do not want to give up their ancestral lands, their culture and their beliefs. They believe that only by maintaining their traditions can they сохранитьсвоюидентичность
Under the tide of globalization, the Himba people are like a rock standing quietly in the desert, protecting their unique culture and way of life
The Himba people of Namibia are a window into ancient Africa, giving us a glimpse into the very beginning of human civilization, their way of life may be primitive, but their spiritual world is incredibly rich
If you have the opportunity to set foot on this land, please slow down and feel the culture and charm of the Himba people with your heart, you will find that there are such a group of people in the world, they live so pure and so real