Himba Jewelry & Body Art
The body art of the Himba is one of the most elaborate traditional aesthetics in Africa:
- Otjize Paste: The red body paint made from ochre pigment and butterfat — at once a beauty ideal, sun protection, and cultural symbol. The redder and shinier, the more beautiful
- Shell Jewelry (Ohumba): Large cone shells (Conus) worn as headdresses — they symbolize fertility and are passed down through generations
- Iron Bracelets: Heavy iron rings on arms and legs — the more rings, the higher the status
- Loincloths: Made from tanned goatskin, intricately embroidered and adorned with beads
In Windhoek and Swakopmund, you can find Himba-inspired jewelry as a souvenir — look for Fair Trade production and ideally buy directly from Himba cooperatives.
