The Herero or Ovaherero - were nomadic herdsman who at the time of European contact, lived in Namibia and Botswana. They comprised several ...
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The Herero (together with the Himba) moved into present-day Namibia and Botswana as part of a larger migration of Bantu-speaking peoples from east Africa several hundred years ago. About 150 years ago, the group began to split and a large group that we know today as the Herero moved southward, while the ancestors of the present-day Himba remained in the north. During the 19th century, the Herero came under the influence of German missionaries who took exception to what they considered to be the immodesty of the traditional Herero dress, or lack of dress (it was similar to the what we see with the Himba today). Herero women eventually adopted the style of dress that makes them so distinctive today. The dress itself falls to the ankles and includes long sleeves and a bodice that buttons up close to the neck. Over this, many women also wear a shawl. Under the dress (so I was told) the women wear six to eight petticoats to add fullness to the skirts. As a hat, Herero women wear a uniquely shaped headpiece that is said to resemble (and pay homage to) the horns of their cattle. Although the influence of the missionaries is certainly diminished in modern day Namibia, Herero women are still seen proudly wearing this elaborate costume in rural parts of the country as well as downtown Windhoek, the capital. This shot was taken at an annual Herero festival, celebrating their independence and culture.
During the 20th century, Germany colonized Namibia, inhabiting the Herero tribes land. A war broke out between tribesman and the Germans. During the unrest, Herero man would show their power by removing the German soldiers clothing after defeating them. This tradition has shaped the style of the Hereros tribe today. photos: Jim Naughten
Botswana is a country in South Africa that has rich and interesting clothing traditions. Many of them were formed under the influence of colonizers and missionaries who appeared in Botswana in 19-20th centuries. Today traditional Tswana outfit is a mix of Western-style or Victorian Era dresses with the pieces of clothing that are pure Tswana (for example, kaross – traditional blanket made from animal skins). Some costumes of ethnic minorities in Botswana also deserve special attention. We're talking about the Herero dress.
The Herero, also known as Ovaherero, are Bantu ethnic group inhabiting parts of Southern Africa. The majority reside in Namibia, with the remainder found in Botswana and Angola. There were an estimated 250,000 Herero people in Namibia in 2013.
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Gucci sunglasses... two Herero mamas for a photography session. Opuwo, Namibia. Lunettes de soleil Gucci, deux Mamas Hereros se prêtent avec un malicieux plaisir à une séance photo. Opuwo, Namibie. www.myplanetexperience.com
The Herero and Nama genocide (1904-1908) was carried out by Germany in South West Africa, now called Namibia. It killed 60,000 Hereros and 10,000 Nama, 50% to 70% of them. It featured concentration camps, skin-and-bone people, mass graves, medical experiments and good German record-keeping - more than 30 years before the Jewish Holocaust. People who blame…
Stamps showing Herero Chat Namibornis herero, with distribution map showing range
We recently spoke to London-based photographer Jim Naughten about his stunning portrait series of the Herero tribe members of Namibia. How did this series come about? What was your inspiration? “I traveled in Africa after finishing college. I bought an old motorbike and more or less stumbled across Namibia on my journey. It was instantly spellbinding—the extraordinary landscapes, the colorful and varied inhabitants and their surreal and often brutal history. I photographed the same tribe back then with my old film camera but always wanted to return to make a more extended project. I'm fascinated by history and often choose projects that make connections with the past.”
Buy Conflict and Costume: The Herero Tribe of Namibia Illustrated by Jim Naughten, Introduction by Lutz Marten (ISBN: 9781858946009) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Download this stock image: Herero woman in traditional dress - CPJ0YC from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors.
Conflict and Costume is an in-depth look at the bold and gorgeous costumes that have come to represent the cultural identity of the Herero people.
