Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
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.
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.
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