Beyond the Red Ochre: Life Among Namibia’s Himba People
A respectful look at tradition, family, resilience, and the enduring bonds that sustain Himba life across generations.
A group of wildlife photographer friends I travel with decided to embark on a journey I don’t believe anyone would want to do - drive 2100 miles across the **Namib Desert of Namibia. And yes, it was everything we hoped it would be and much much more. One of the stops along our trek was to photograph the Himba tribal people.
After hours of driving through Namibia's rugged Kunene Region, the landscape became more and more barren with every mile. Dry riverbeds wind through the rocky mountain terrain. Goats wander freely and dust hangs heavily in the air. Then, almost unexpectedly, a small village appears. Round huts made of mud and sticks, children running barefoot through the sand, topless women, their skin a glowing deep red in the sunlight, and jewelry that is out of this world. When you get closer to the people you see the red mud in their hair and realize you are in another world.
So who are the Himba People?
The Himba are a semi-nomadic people living primarily in Northwestern Namibia with some communities in Angola. They number about 25,000 to 50,000 people and are closely related to the Herero people. They are isolated in Namibia’s harshest environments which has actually aided them in preserving many traditional customs despite the modern world moving closer.
Cattle is Money
Their money system is their cattle. Cattle represent wealth, status, marriage and even spirituality. A family’s herd determines the prosperity, so it consumes most of the day caring for the cattle and goats. Because rainfall is unpredictable, the Himba move seasonally in search of new grazing land making them semi nomadic rather than permanent farmers.
The Famous Red Skin
Probably the most striking feature is the red skin which most would assume is red paint. It’s actually a careful mixture called otjize, made from butterfat and powdered red ochre.
It serves several purposes:
Represents beauty and cultural identity
Protects the skin from the harsh desert sun
Acts as a natural insect barrier
Helps keep the skin moisturized in the extreme dry climate.
Water
Water is scarce in this region so many women traditionally clean themselves using a very strong aromatic smoke bath rather than bathing in water. This was done out of necessity but over the years became a cultural tradition.
A Living Culture
Many people believe the Himba are an untouched people, not so. Many attend school, many have cell phones, and some people alternate wearing traditional clothing vs Western clothing. Most families welcome tourists because it’s an additional source of revenue for the family.
Like most cultures, the Himba continue to adapt but do so without completely abandoning their identity. Researchers note that Himba society today reflects both continuity and change rather than existing frozen in time.
Closing Reflection
Leaving the village, it is easy to remember the striking red ochre, intricate hairstyles, and beautiful handmade jewelry. But what stayed with me was the resilience of the Himba people and the pride with which they carried out the rhythms of daily life. Everyone seemed to contribute to the community, and the children’s laughter reaffirmed something I have learned in my own life and witnessed throughout eight African countries: possessions may provide comfort, but they do not create happiness.
For centuries, the Himba have endured drought, colonial upheaval, livestock disease, and an unforgiving landscape while holding fast to traditions that remain deeply meaningful today.
Visiting a Himba community is an opportunity to appreciate a way of life shaped by the desert, strengthened through generations of adaptation, and sustained by a powerful sense of identity and community. If we arrive willing to listen rather than simply observe, perhaps we may leave having learned something about ourselves and our own way of life as well.
Good luck and good light to you,
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About David Williams Photography | PPA Master Photographer specializing in African wildlife, indigenous culture, American Southwest landscapes, and LDS Temple fine art prints, using photography to celebrate beauty, storytelling, and conservation.