From Life in Oshikuku to the lives of the Himba

As I start my tenth week in Namibia I cannot believe that I have less than a month to go in this amazing country. I have mixed feelings of sadness for the limited time I have left, but also happiness knowing that I will soon see friends and loved ones at home in England.

Monday started with a long journey back from Rundu to Ongwediva. It was very interesting as we changed areas and tribal regions. Not only do the buildings change but so does the language. On the journey we stopped briefly in Tsumeb, where I met some Damara speaking people. Their language is full of clicks, which are formed at the back of the throat. I thought they were choking, but Pennie assured me that they were talking to each other. We also saw a lot of children and young people selling fish at the side of the road. This is the time of the season where the real big fish can be found in the Oshanas (temporary lakes). We also saw some lads selling the bullfrogs that they had caught, which is unusual, as they are normally caught at the start of the rainy season, before Christmas.

Tuesday was a full work day, but I did mange to go out into Oshikuku and take some photos of everyday life. As you can see from below, there are always Goats and Cattle roaming around the streets, but the market is normally very interesting. I don’t pretend I know what everything is that they are selling, and it sometimes even smells good.

Wednesday was the first of a number of award ceremonies I have planned. I went to Mupewa Junior School and presented them with their certificates of attendance for the five workshops that I had completed with them They were all very pleased to receive them as you can see from the photo below.

Thursday was work day from my house; but I did mange to go to the independence day celebrations at Mupewa. It was a really nice event, if a little disorganised and it was very picturesque as they hold assemblies underneath the big tree in their grounds. I managed to get some really good photos, and I include a couple below.

Friday was a preparation day for next week, which is going to be very busy with workshops. However, I did go to a leaving do in the evening for two German trainee Doctors who work at Oshikuku Hospital. As with the other hospitals I have seen there was a little unofficial campsite outside the gates. I am told that women who are expecting babies walk from their homesteads and camp outside until they go into labour. It could save the NHS millions of pounds if we introduced it in the UK!

The weekend was a bit of a treat as we decided to take a trip to the Ruacana Falls and stop overnight in a lodge. With the heavy rains we were told that they were spectacular; and they were! The Lodge was also very nice, with air conditioning, and for the first time in nine weeks I slept under covers. Luxury!

On Sunday morning we took the option to visit a Himba village, which was a long way into the bush. It was really interesting and we were given a friendly welcome in yet another different language. As you can see from the pictures, the Himba coat themselves with Ochre, a red mineral. The women also mix the ochre with clay and put it in their hair. However, they can only do it when they become a woman, and the little girl you can see has her hair done differently until she is deemed to be a woman. Men can have as many wives as they wish, as long as they can support them! The one we met only had two wives as he was getting on in years. The buildings are very traditionally made, but surprisingly comfortable inside, but the beds were just a blanket on the ground. I don’t think my back could cope with that any more!

Best wishes to all at home, and with this adventure drawing to a close, I am starting to think of the changes I will find back in England.

Has it stopped raining yet? Is Norwich City in the Premiership? Is petrol up to £20 a gallon? Are Christmas decorations on sale? Is Gordon Brown still Prime Minister? Will the children at Parkside remember me? Is there any ‘more’ Celtic staff at Parkside School?

So many questions!

Barry