Link to Namibia menu


People paintingDonkey and foalNear Kuidas camp above a deserted Himba encampment on the underside of two huge boulders are some very clear cave paintings. These are undated although the rock art at the large site close by at Twyfelfontein date from 500BC to the 19th Century.

Nearby are small caves with wall where Himba herdsmen will have sheltered their goats from Jackals and Hyenas.

Elephant painting Elephant painting buck painting
Stockade to Himba village
Himba boysHimba hutThe Himba are nomadic herders. This settlement is partly supported by Purros camp and is more permanent although the stockade and huts are the same.

Huts are made from wood with dung walls. The women and children stay in the camp while the men are out with the animals. The women are preparing ochre to cover their bodies.

Himba lady in Herero dress Himba lady in hut Himba lady
Himba dollmaking ochreUnlike the others, the woman (above left) has become Christian and wears Victorian dress with the characteristic Herero hat.

Vicky and Annita are allowed into a hut where the woman (above centre and right) was smoking a leather skirt. Also in the hut was this child's doll.

The previous day Helga shows us the number of dyes that can be made from different local rocks. Click her hands for more on the rivers.

Colourful fingers