Uis Himba Village

The Uis Himba Village is located in a remote corner of Uis in the Erongo Region, Namibia. This highly skilled tribe herds and breeds sheep, cattle and goats. Distinctive for covering their bodies with Otjize, a mixture of butterfat and ochre pigment used to protect themselves from the harsh desert climate. Traditionally they go topless and wear skirts or loincloths made of animal skins. They also maintain their traditional beliefs, including ancestor worship and rituals concerning Okoruwo, which is considered an essential link between the living and the dead. Each settlement has an Okoruwo placed between the village entrance and the main dwelling door. This is also used to light fires in the village, and the oldest group member must ensure that it is kept smouldering and never goes out. Flames from the Okoruwo are used for daily rituals and special ceremonies like births, deaths, marriages and circumcision. Visitors to the area can visit the village and meet the Himba.