Namibia's Himba people caught between traditions and modernity

            The influence of globalization and modernization is increasingly a bigger threat to many of the tribes of Africa, as explained by the Himba people in this article. This article focuses on the culture of the Himba people, who live in Omuhoro village, an hour near the closest town in Namibia, Opuwo. These people are recognized by their red matted braids, which are painstakingly made by mixing animal fat, ash, and ground ochre, a stone found locally. They sometimes smear their bodies too.

            The himba have felt the increasing pressures of modernization and the people have clearly split opinions about joining or keeping away from society. For example, the chieftain of the village owns some businesses in the town and wears modern clothing, including khaki shorts and a t-shirt. On top of this, 3 of his 17 children are in school, a place where the villagers say “changes [their] children.” The chief of the village argues that he is preparing his village and his kids for the modern world, so they are prepared to live as doctors, business-owners, and teachers. He believes that the world has changed and that his future generations should welcome the modern world. Still, participating in modern life doesn’t necessarily mean acquiring an education and being very successful. Many of the Himba people travel to Opuwo to find themselves in the town’s bar. Some even go every day.

            This participating in the modern world counters many of the opinions of other villagers. For example, one of the chieftain’s four wives, Mama Moharerwa, a tall figure with a booming voice, believes their people belong to the village. “The best life for [them] is in the village,” she says. “It’s how [they’ve] lived for many years, it’s what [they] know. In the city [they] cannot survive.” This shows how many of the villagers are caught between the allure of modern life and a desire to save traditional culture.

References:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40247310

-Mark Buckup