Photographers Note
Himba women
The Himba are an ethnic group of about 20,000 to 50,000 people, living in northern Namibia, in the Kunene region (formerly Kaokoland). They are a nomadic, pastoral people, closely related to the Herero, and speak the same language.
The Himba breed cattle and goats. The responsibility of milking the cows lies with the women. Women take care of the children, and one woman will take care of another woman's children. Women tend to perform more labor-intensive work than men do, such as carrying water to the village and building homes.
The Himba wear little clothing, but the women are famous for covering themselves with a mixture of butter fat, ochre, and herbs to protect themselves from the sun. The mixture gives their skins a reddish tinge. The mixture symbolizes earth's rich red color and the blood that symbolizes life. Women braid each others hair and cover it in their ochre mixture.
Modern clothes are scarce, but generally go to the men when available. Boys are generally circumcized before puberty.
after Wikipedia
very interesting article about Himba you can find here
Critiques | Translate
Fis2
(45152) 2007-10-09 11:40
Witaj Andrzejku!
No to to już kompletna egzotyka, która robi wrażenie... Dobry kadr i interesująca kolorystyka.
Pozdrawiam
Krzysztof
cargus
(41) 2007-10-09 11:52 [Comment]
avene
(10842) 2007-10-09 12:08
very good portrait, I particularly like how the saturated colour of her skin contrasts with the pale background. this contrast also focuses attention on the main subject, but still provides a context to the story - you can see goats in the background, for example. excellent shot and thanks for sharing.
best,
Kristine
evanrizo
(456) 2007-10-09 12:17
Hi Andrzej, she has her own, a different beauty, the lightness and the colors are marvelous.
Cheers
Evan
fijiphil
(1343) 2007-10-09 12:36
Photo is technically OK but I think you are really lacking both a strong compositional element, and also any real connection with the subject. She is so obviously just posing for someone else's photo. I've seen plenty of photos of Himba women and your one unfortunately brings nothing new or challenging to the subject.
drewniany
(1142) 2007-10-09 14:29
Cześć
Toś nam zaserwował egzotyczną piękność... Niezła DOF, kolorystyka robi wrażenie, imho-zacieśniłbym kadr, tak ja odcentralnił. Generalnie robi wrażenie.
Pozdrawiam
M
isabela_sor
(41881) 2007-10-10 12:38
She in foreground creates a great contrast with the colors of background...Impressive portrait and for sure she is a beauty in her community
Hugs
Isabela
woladorsky
(804) 2007-10-11 3:16
HI Andrzej,
She has got a fantastic expression! Amazing colors and moment!
cheers
Rolando
sayat
(2941) 2007-10-17 1:37
An excellent portrait and a very informative, beautiful note Dear Andrzej. It's so sad to read what westerners do to this noble people in the link you provided. That's our so called civilization.
MichaelTrezzi
(3132) 2007-10-18 12:05
Hello Andrzej, Interesting people and nice portrait with a good note too. Did you travel with a GPS, would you know, how or where to find these people ? Many Thanks. Best regards,
Michael
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Andrzej Urbaniec (Deepforest)
(8813) - Genre: People
- Medium: Color
- Date Taken: 2007-09-02
- Categories: Daily Life
- Camera: Konica Minolta Dimage Z2, King Circ. Polarizer 52 mm
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Date Submitted: 2007-10-09 11:28
Discussions
- To MichaelTrezzi: Hi (1)
by Deepforest, last updated 10-18 13:48 - To drewniany: kadr (1)
by Deepforest, last updated 10-09 23:57








