They shun the comforts of modern civilization, preferring to live the traditional way their ancestors did. Few of them are eager to leave their homeland for city life.

This people resides in the harsh desert climate of the country’s north. Many mistakenly believe they lead a nomadic lifestyle, though this isn’t entirely accurate. They are best described as a semi-nomadic people. Their traditional dwellings are incredibly simple. Thin tree trunks are used to construct a tall, cone-shaped hut. The structure is then coated with a mixture of mud and dung. Once this coating dries, the home is ready for occupancy.

Boys undergo circumcision before reaching puberty, a rite of passage in their culture. Once a boy marries, he is considered a man by the tribe, with all the responsibilities and privileges that entails.

The Himba do not go hungry. They have cows and goats, which provide them with plenty of fresh and fermented milk. Cottage cheese, sour cream, cheese, and butter are staple foods for the Himba.

If there is arable land nearby, they grow maize and millet. They also forage for wild bird eggs, edible herbs, and roots, using everything they find for sustenance. From the mopane tree, they collect caterpillar larvae, which are highly nutritious, containing over fifty percent protein. These larvae are dried and can be stored for a long time.

Himba women might wish to bathe, but water is extremely precious in their environment. Historically, only men were allowed to wash with water. However, the women have found an alternative.

Women perform a traditional cleansing ritual using smoke from smoldering herbs. After this, they rub their skin with a mixture of ochre, an aromatic component derived from commiphora leaves, and animal fat. This not only cleanses but also protects their skin from harsh environmental factors, preserving its youthful appearance into old age.

Sometimes, particularly the young women, perform this cleansing and beautifying ritual twice a day. Contrary to what some might think, they are not unclean. Many Europeans, upon first seeing Himba women with their smooth skin under a reddish tint and their hair styled in elaborate, attractive ways, have declared them some of the most beautiful women in the world.