The Himba tribe of Namibia-From offering sex to guests to not bathing at all some interesting facts!

Just like almost every other tribe on the continent, the Himba people have preserved their cultural values and practices in the face of civilization.

Recorded as being from North-East Zambia, the Himba people can be traced as far back as the 16th Century when they journeyed through the Angolan border and settled at Kaokoland now called Kunene Region. Their stay in that region was plagued with an epidemic which caused them to move south for survival. This move down south brought them in contact with the Herero tribe. With an estimated population of 50, 000 now living in the north of Namibia, the Himba people are mostly semi-nomadic.
Here are some interesting cultural practices of the Himba you should know:

They don’t bath

The Himba people Namibia are one of the tribes on the continent that have secluded themselves from the pressures of civilization. They have maintained a host of cultural practices which includes not taking a water bath. Like everyone who takes a bath, now and then, the Himba do not bath because of harsh climates in the region and due to the value placed on water. Instead of water, they use smoke with a combination of red ochre on their skin. According to Momoafrica, they put some smouldering charcoal into a little bowl of herbs (mostly leaves and little branches of Commiphora trees) and wait for the smoke to ascend. Thereafter, they will bow over the smoking bowl and due to the heat, they will start perspiring. For a full-body wash, they cover themselves with a blanket so that the smoke gets trapped underneath the fabric.

They offer their wives to visitors for sex

Under this practice, known as “Okujepisa Omakazendu” which means “offering wife to guest”, a Himba man in his quest to please a friend or an esteemed guest, allows his wife to sleep with his guest for the night. While his wife and guest are at their normal business, the man is mandated to sleep in another hut. In the absence of a hut, he sleeps outside.

Holy fire/Supreme Being (Mukuru)

Himba’s believe so much in their supreme being who is called Mukuru. In order to communicate with their god, they use what they term, ‘holy fire’. As the smoke of the fire ascends into the heavens, it gives them access and direct contact with their supreme being. For outsiders, you are not allowed to cross the Holy line unless invited. To maintain constant contact with their god, they pacify the god with more logs of wood to avoid it drying out. The holy line starts from the chief’s hut and goes straight to the entrance of the cattle enclosure.