Himba Beauty Salon

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

NAMIBIA | Thursday, 3 January 2013 | Views [847] | View Larger Image

Once the daily chores are completed and the days temperature begins to soar, the women retreat back to the shade where their beauty salon continues. A Himba woman's hair is drawn into dreadlocks and encased in a thick ochre casing which adds to their beauty, but it is a laborious process that requires all hands to assist removing and replacing the delicate casing every 4 weeks or so.

Tags: himba, hair, beauty salon, assistance, help, work

The Ochre is mixed with portions of thickened butter fat which is smeared all over the women's body to produce a bright red sheen. All of the females pitch in to help each other access areas that a single woman cannot. All of the Himba women share the work load in a village regardless of the task, their age or stature.

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The process of reapplying the hairs casing usually takes a whole day and soon the women begin to get restless. The final process is a skilful and delicate one which only a few can master, but as the sun begins to set on another day so does the hardening ochre in the final stages of the the Himba beauty salon.

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Himba Beauty Salon

My Scholarship entry - A 'place' I have visited

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