Namibia Local Customs

 
by krissyM
 
  •   Local Customs
    by krissyM
  •   Local Customs
    by DAO
  •   Local Customs
    by DAO
  •   Local Customs
    by DAO
  •   Local Customs
    by DAO
 

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Himba's Women

by diageva

"The Land of the Red Women," Himba woman have red skin cause a mixture of animal fat, red ochre and local herbs. They never use water to wash their selves; they use instead something like a sauna with herbs. Each women use their own herbs for have their own perfume.As blood is forbidden at the Himba village, women must go out it to bear their children or in menstruation days.Married women wear braided hair with pieces of skin.Jewellery is very important, metal rings around their ankles, as other jewellery made of shells, copper, skin ….It easy see them making their hair one to the other.

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Himba's Children

by diageva

Himba children are adorned with jewellery from birth and their skin is protect with the same red mix of sand and animal fat their mother use for their skin. Male boys are also painted in black their neck as the adult men.They learn to respect animals from the beginning and to know they are part of the village and that they are not toys but helpful for the village.Their hair is also cut in a sort of way. A Himba boy is shaved bald, except a small hair-band in the middle.All, hair shape and jewellery has its meaning

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Wave

by diageva

It is a custom, in a land with so little people, in a land where you can drive a hole day without seeing another car or people, to wave if you find someone in your way. Tuhafeni (our great driver) did wave every single man or woman or car we find in our way and always he did have a wave back.I love to wave, so from the beginning, before even I did notice this was a custom, I did wave all the people we saw from our bus. Waving I get to know the beautiful Steffney and other children and other people that always did wave back with a big smile.So, remember, if you go to Namibia, do wave in your way.

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The Herero

by Myndo

Namibia has about 1.8 million people.About half of them are the Ovambo. But there are a lot of different others: the San, the Nama, the Damara, the Himba, the Kavango...One of them are the Herero.They make about 8% of the population. European Missionars influenced them a lot in the end of the 19th century. This can still be seen today in the traditional clothing of the Herero woman. Its victorian stile and they wear about 12m of cloth !The woman in the picture I stumbled upon during her changing into the clothes she works in (she made the bathrooms on the Camping place). She was actually really thin under all that clothes (I wouldn´t believe it either, if I hadn´t seen).She saw I was interested in her stile and asked whether I wanted to make a picture (oh, sure!)

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Herero Costumes

by tini58de

The Herero women have adopted a style of dress that looks rather strange! These costumes were brought with German missionaries. The dresses include full length skirts with many petticoats underneath!The headdress is also very unique - it looks a little like a two-coned hat. A shopkeeper in Windhoek told us, that the Herero women spend an awful lot of money for their outfits: the stola has to be made of English wool - so that calls for a lot of money as well!

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Sundowners....a civilized way to end each day

by 850prc

Throughout Namibia, as in much of southern Africa, it is a tradition to say goodbye to the day by having a glass of wine, a beer or a cocktail. This tradition of "sundowners" has existed since the colonial time(s) of the British. And, it doesn't really matter where you are, or who you're with.....sundowners are a daily matter of fact. So, whether you're in the bush or in Windhoek or Swakop, expect to say goodbye to the fierce and warm Namibian sun each day with a toast. Sundowners, man!

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Car attendants

by tryhard

In many of the larger town or city areas you will see young guys usually wearing fluoro yellow vests around the shopping areas, car parks. If they see you park your car they will approach. They are authorised by the city authorities to provide a car minding service whilst you are shopping. You can politely decline or you can indicate that you would like their services and they will put a ticket on you windscreen. When you return you pay them a dollar or two depending how long you were away and they will remove the ticket.

Namibia is a truly...

by smoox

Namibia is a truly multi-cultural country. Both the British and the German as well as the Boors have left their traces in this African country, at times almost covering what is there of the Nama, Herero, Himba, Damara. What´s utterly fascinating is the fact that this conglomerate of cultures seems to work out just fine... Let´s just respect each other! Congratulations, Namibia, to what you have achieved in those 11 years of independence!

The currency is the Namibia...

by smoox

The currency is the Namibia Dollar which is connected to the South-African Rand. Hence you will be able to pay in both currencies (and receive change in both currencies as well). There are no banks beyond the cities - so make sure you carry enough cash. On the other hands, you will be able to pay with your credit card or cash a travellers´cheque in the lodges.

Do not pass or shake hands...

by Kakunaa

Do not pass or shake hands with your left hand....you will be considered rude and vile...they wipe with the left, and therefore you do nothing else with it. Do not address elders until they address you, and always greet in some way...it's the polite thing to do. No short shorts or dresses...knee length and below for the ladies....

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Questions and Answers

ZeekLTK profile photo

Q:  Hi, I've been looking into planning a trip to Namibia and Botswana, but I haven't been finding much useful information as to how... 

KakapoTheParrot profile photo

A: The two countries share a huge border. I've been through the crossings at either end of the Caprivi Strip so could offer general comments (although better travelled... 

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