Himba people: a mysterious tribe whose women never wash but have no body odor (15 photos)

In the semi-deserts of Nabia, far from traditional tourist routes, lives a unique people - the Himba. Their lifestyle challenges our ideas about hygiene.





Beautiful, graceful women who... never wash.

However, this does not prevent them from living comfortably. Anthropologists have been studying the life of the Himba for many years, and are amazed by the paradox. How, in conditions of sweltering heat and dust, local women not only do not use water for washing, but also manage to keep their bodies clean and there is no unpleasant odor from them.

The Himba's history dates back to the 16th century. They separated from the Herero, a local herding people. They crossed the Kunene River and settled in an arid region on the border of modern Namibia and Angola.

For people who have been engaged in cattle breeding all their lives, the places are not the most favorable. Harsh conditions forced them to change their approach and develop special methods of survival.



The life of the tribe is literally built around cattle. Small huts made of branches and clay are located along the perimeter, forming a protective circle. And in the center of the circle is a pen for animals.

Cattle are considered the tribe's capital. Very rarely are animals killed for meat. They are mainly used to obtain milk and prepare dairy products.

Cows and goats are not only a source of food and wealth, but also an important element of social organization.

The Himba lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle. They are engaged in cattle breeding and move between watering places depending on the season.





Lack of water is a constant problem for the inhabitants of these places. In such conditions, washing with water would be an unforgivable luxury.

And local women have come up with an alternative method of hygiene. Water - a minimum, ingenuity - a maximum.



Himba men have equally elaborate hairstyles

In their everyday life, every element has a meaning. They style their hair in a specific way and smear themselves with bright ochre. Behind the apparent simplicity lies a complex system of knowledge that is passed down from generation to generation.

Himba Women: Timeless Beauty



The Himba are unmistakable. Their skin is a rich terracotta color, their hair is styled in intricate braids, and their movements are graceful.

But what is most striking from the outside is their attitude to hygiene: they never wash with water.

Why Himba women don't wash



It's not just the droughts that make water more valuable here than gold. The custom of refusing to wash is not just a necessity, but a deep cultural tradition. Himba women are taught from birth that water is a resource that cannot be wasted. In addition, washing with water is considered unnecessary - after all, the Himba have their own secrets of cleanliness and freshness.



The main one is the magic mixture "otjize". It is a thick paste made from red ocher (iron oxide hydrate), animal fat (usually cow's fat) and aromatic herbs. Women apply it to their skin and hair every day. This mixture performs several functions at once:

protects the skin from the scorching sun;

moisturizes, preventing drying out;

gives the body a subtle earthy aroma;

acts as an antibacterial agent.



By the way, women here are generally responsible for water, playing an important role in the life of the tribe.

Himba women collect water from remote sources and carry it in vessels on their heads. Sometimes - for several kilometers. This requires great physical strength and discipline.

Another way to maintain cleanliness is smoke baths. Instead of the usual shower, women bend over smoldering coals with aromatic herbs. The most commonly used tree is Commiphora - this is the famous myrrh essential oil, which is extracted from the resin of this tree.



During the procedure, women cover themselves with a blanket, allowing the smoke to envelop their body, cleansing the skin and hair, absorbing the aroma of herbs and eliminating bacteria.

But why, with all this, do Himba women not smell of sweat?

The secret of freshness without water

Scientists have studied the phenomenon of the bizarre hygiene of the Himba. Science confirms that the "otjize" mixture really helps prevent the appearance of an unpleasant odor. This happens for several reasons:

Antibacterial properties of red ochre. Sweat itself does not smell - the smell appears when bacteria begin to decompose it. Surely you have noticed that at the moment of intense exercise when you sweat - there is no smell. As a rule, it appears after hours. Precisely due to the action of bacteria. Red ochre suppresses the growth of bacteria on the skin, reducing their activity. And, accordingly, no unpleasant odor occurs.



Blocking of sweat glands. The "otzhize" mixture partially clogs the pores, reducing sweating, which prevents the appearance of odor. Although this prevents skin infections, it also has its drawbacks. Thermoregulation is disrupted. You can't really run with such a layer of the mixture - it's better to sit in the shade.

However, this is the way of life that women lead. They do housework and care for livestock, rarely going out into direct sunlight.

A pleasant aroma of oil and herbs. Cow butter and wood resins add a soft, natural scent that neutralizes any unwanted odors.



Smoke baths as a natural antiseptic. The smoke destroys bacteria, cleanses the skin and hair, and permeates the body with the aromas of wood oils.

Thus, the Himba have developed an interesting body care system adapted to harsh living conditions. It does not require water, but gives amazing results.

Beauty in the Eyes of the Himba

In our world, there is a stereotype that the standards of beauty are the same everywhere. However, the Himba have their own ideas about female attractiveness.



Here, beauty is not smooth white skin, but a rich red hue. It symbolizes vitality.

Himba hair is a separate work of art. Girls braid complex braids, covering them with the same mixture of ochre and oil. Married women wear a headdress "erembe" made of sheepskin, which is a symbol of their new status.



Harsh conditions dictate minimalism in literally everything.

However, they do not skimp on appearance, because it is a language, a symbol.

Women wear leather skirts and a lot of jewelry: necklaces, bracelets, copper rings. Each piece of jewelry has a meaning - it can indicate age, marital status or social status. There are no decorations for the sake of beauty here.



They also have a beautiful tradition that I personally really like.

They have a tradition of maintaining the sacred fire of Okuruwo.

The eternal flame is a symbol of connection with ancestors. While the fire is burning, they believe that they have a continuity of generations with their ancestors, and they always remember them. The fire is maintained around the clock, and aromatic herbs are added to it.



Remembering ancestors is very important. It emphasizes the connection between generations. It sets cultural traditions. You always understand that you are not alone. You are part of a big history.

But even for such a closed people as the Himba, time takes its toll. The younger generation is increasingly leaving the villages, moving to the cities for education and work. Women are starting to dress quite modernly, traditions are forgotten under the onslaught of globalization.

The Himba tribe is a clear example of how human communities adapt to extreme conditions, finding unexpected solutions to everyday problems.