Namibia’s Damara, Himba and Herero
God’s Cow Documentary Film Project
…Namibia’s Damara, Himba and Herero
— Advertisement —
This is the official site of the God’s Cow documentary film project, which introduces the Himba, Herero and Damara of Namibia’s Kunene region. You can enjoy all films on YouTube! This portal is created to provide you with additional information related to many video clips. I suggest you watch all films, which are about 10 minutes long and sequentially numbered. You can also browse through this portal by ethnical groups. However, please keep in mind that Herero and Himba are very closely related. So if you like to understand Himba culture you probably want to understand Herero culture as well. Damara is actually a language, which is also spoken by the Bushman in Botswana. In Namibia you have Nama Damara and Damara in “Damaraland”. They are unlikely to be related. The terminology “Damaraland” still originates from the apartheid area but people in “Damaraland” still use this word. “Damaraland” is today officially called southern Kunene region. Many People speak Damara here but they have been brought to this place by force during the apartheid area. Today, “Damaraland” is a multicultural place, which isn’t obvious if you just drive through this remote arid area.
— Advertisement —
#01 Where is Namibia?
Where is Namibia? ...and the Kunene region? This initial episode introduces you to Namibia's Kunene region during rainy season. You get to know Namibia's red Spider, the Damara language and the Petrified Forrest. This episode also contains the description of the whole journey. People often ask me this question if I talk about the Damara, Himba or ... Read More
#02 Wildlife conservation
Wildlife conservation This episode focuses on wild life conservation in the Kunene region. The Kunene Region is known for its wild live. Now, it’s not like a park, where you can drive on an allocated street and take your pictures. People here live with wild live. Giraffes sometimes block the street but they aren’t dangerous at ... Read More
#03 A farm in Namibia’s stony desert?
A farm in Namibia's stony desert? Ever wondered how it is to live on a farm in Namibia's stony desert? Here you get an impression and learn where they get the water from. A stony desert lies between the Namib, which is a sandy desert, and the bush land. Actually, the whole western Kunene region ... Read More
#04 Namibia’s “Damaraland”: A multicultural experience
Namibia's "Damaraland" ... a multicultural experience If you like to listen to authentic Damara music then this Episode is for you. It contains ancient Damara children songs which you are unlikely to find anywhere else. Many books about Namibia introduce you to the southern Kunene region as special ethnical place where the Damara live. However, Damara is ... Read More
# 05 The Riemvasmaak community
Namibia's "Damaraland" ... a multicultural experience The story of the Riemvasmaak community is sad and takes us to South Africa's dark apartheid area where under the umbrella of the so called black spot removal program people where send by brutal force to Namibia's stony desert. Today, Namibia's "Damaraland" - the local people still call it that way ... Read More
#06 Damara’s celebration of first menstruation
How to get to know other peoples culture? ...peek your neighbor in London's underground! This is actually the episode, for which the famous Damaraland Trio provided us with two examples of contemporary Damaraland music. I actually met these ladies during to my cultural investigations since I wanted to know how to become a Damara. For me - ... Read More
#07 Herero dances and music
Herero Dances and Music ...OMUHIVA, EHIYO and OTJONGO The sevens episode is about Oruvandjei that's how the local people call their village, which is located about 50km south of Opuwo. Opuwo is with about 6000 people the only city - ok let's call it a Namiban city - in the northern Kunene region. 500 Herero live ... Read More
#08 Ovahimba, Ovahimbe, Chimba, Himba or Herero?
Ovahimba, Ovahimbe, Chimba, Himba or Herero? In this episode Mr. Tavizee Muharukua gives us insights into Himba and Herero history and explains to use the differences between the words Ovahimba, Ovahimbe, Chimba, Himba or Herero. For some people it was a genocide - for others a colonial war and some estimates claim that at least 60.000 ... Read More
#09 Holy Fire, Herero Houses and Settlement Arrangements
Construction of Herero or Himba houses This episode 9 is about Herero houses and settlement arrangements. The basic concept is actually valid not just for the Himba and Herero but for many other African groups. These houses serve more like cabins, which house parts of the family, such as the parents, the children or the grandparents ... Read More
#10 How to create a Herero Hat
The Herero Hat You can identify Herero women by their dress code, which consists of this 18th century Victorian style dress and a characteristic hat. In this 10th episode the headman's wife is going to show us how this traditional hat is created. The color of the hat often fits the dress as well, which is quite ... Read More
#11 Himba music part 1: The “cattle gun”
The Himba "cattle gun" Today's hunting horn is an instrument you even find in classical orchestras. The "cattle gun" is something similar. It is an original authentic Himba instrument and used to move the cattle. The "cattle gun" is produced by utilizing the straight horns of a Gemsbok or Oryx, how this animal is frequently called. ... Read More
#12 Himba music part 2: Ancient and contemporary Himba songs
The Himba "cattle gun" This episode is about ancient and contemporary Himba music. I actually had visited quite a few Himba villages to find these ancient children songs. I mean those once, which were used to tell the children old stories. These songs seem to be almost forgotten today. But then, in the bush under a ... Read More
#13 How do Himba build a house or shelter?
Creation of a Himba house ... for the storage of fruits and vegetables We already have learned that Himba and traditional Herero houses are quite similar. In the 13th episode I would like to show you how the Himba create a shelter. A shelter is a building for storage purposes. Here, the walls are not sealed ... Read More
#14 Himba shower and cosmetic
How Himba make fire This episode is about traditional fire making and Himba cosmetic. What the headman is now showing to us becomes probably very soon a forgotten cultural technique - I mean the traditional art to make fire. This because many Himba have nowadays access to small stores or markets where matches are sold. ... Read More
#15 A morning by a Himba family
A morning by a Himba family Himba in the Kunene region cannot be associated with just one lifestyle. Some have a nomadic existence and others a semi- nomadic lifestyle. Some Himba family conduct mixed farming and I know Himba with modern closing and an academic education as well. Now I would like to show you ... Read More
#16 Authentic Himba dances
Authentic Himba dances This episode illustrates Himba dances. It is one of the few episodes, which doesn't contain any narration. This is because there isn't a lot to say. These dances shown are usually just performed by the children. The older children and/or the younger mothers manage or lead the dance. I have asked ... Read More
#17 Namibia’s Himba and Herero at Opuwo’s unusual market
Opuwo's unusual market Opuwo is the main city in the northern Kunene region. About 12000 people live here - mainly Herero and Himba. People with their traditional, natural presentation, live together with modern people, which use even business clothing. I always returned to Opuwo after I have spend a couple of days in the bush ... Read More
#18 How to uplift life in Namibia’s rural areas?
How to uplift life in Namibia's rural areas? We have seen that the life in the surrounding area of Opuwo is quite different than in the city of Opuwo. In the surrounding area Himba and Herero have a very traditional lifestyle. And some Himba even have a nomadic or semi-nomadic existence. In Opuwo, which just ... Read More
#19 What makes a Himba being a Himba?
What makes a Himba being a Himba? ... TEXT IS GOING TO BE ADDED SHORTLY
Read More
