Herero women

 

The Herero mainly reside in Southern Africa speaking Otjiherero - a Bantu language. An evidence of their well preserved culture is seen in their dressing; 

For men, walking sticks and leather hats.

For women, ball gown and a matching head gear.

The people of Herero are called Ovaherero. They mostly make a living from livestock farming. The headgear for women is called Otjikaiva and is worn in praise of the cows who have from history been the Ovaherero’s sustenance. This is achieved when the headgear makes the woman resemble a plump, slow moving cow.

The headgear is made from rolled newspaper covered by fabrics with pins in front. 

Generally, the style of clothing was influenced by colonialism but now the Ovaherero are proud of their homogenized tradition. In present times, their dress is still evolving.

Ovaherero strength lies not just in preserving their culture but also surviving a history of genocide.