The indigenous Himba people reside predominantly in northern Namibia, specifically in the Kunene Region, and are semi-nomadic pastoralists. They rely mainly on livestock farming, including cattle, fat-tailed sheep, and goats. Additionally, they cultivate rain-fed crops such as maize and millet. The Himba maintain traditional homesteads (ongandas), consisting of a circular hamlet of huts and work shelters, which are central to their cultural practices and ancestral veneration.
Despite maintaining a distinct cultural lifestyle, the Himba are socially dynamic and interact with urban cultures, particularly in the Kunene Region capital of Opuwo. They have faced significant challenges, such as severe droughts and political conflicts in the 1980s, which drastically affected their way of life. More recently, they have actively participated in protesting against developments that threaten their ancestral lands and way of life, such as the proposed hydroelectric dam along the Kunene River.
