Namibia Cultural Insight

The culture of the indigenous population reflects the social values, norms, traditions and institutions developed over a long period of time. Each ethnic group has its on distinct identity though certain features remain common to all such as the wealth of traditional arts, crafts, music and dance. The German influence dominates the urban culture where from architecture to Lutheran churches and missions  to beergartens and sausages, every aspect of daily life has strong Teutonic characteristics.

The many different tribes people who live within the territorial boundaries of Namibia have a range of crafts typical of each ethnic group. Traditional arts and crafts include basketry, woodcarving, leatherwork, beadwork, ceramics and painting. Some of the more recent developments in the crafts have been in the fields of textiles - hand weaving and embroidery - sculptures, printmaking and theatre.

The tribes living in the north of Namibia, like the Bushmen, Caprivians, Damara, Himba, Kavango and Owambo continue to create magical items from wood with a fine old tradition of woodcarving. Masks, figurines, bowls, instruments, sculptures and furniture are made in ornate or very simplistic styles using the decorative techniques of incising, etching, carving and burning. Leather from the skins of cattle and crocodile and other wild animals is crafted in to bags, pouches, footwear, belts, rugs (karosses) and traditional headgear used by the tribals. The Bushmen living in and around the Kalahari Desert and the Himba tribesmen specialize in beadwork. They use beads made from as diverse substances as ostrich egg shells, porcupine quills, stones, seeds, nuts and wood. Necklaces, bracelets, armlets, anklets, headbands, bags, pouches and clothes are vividly decorated with a variety of handmade and commercially produced beads in traditional patterns. In fact, every motif and pattern has its own story and symbolism – even the different coloured strips of palm leaves woven into baskets in special geometric designs have their own cultural identity and meaning.

The women from the Caprivi, Kavango and Owambo tribes are the best potters in all of Namibia. They make vessels for domestic use decorated with traditional geometric patterns in myriad hues. The Nama women utilize their old skills to create hand woven and hand embroidered linen, table linen, wall hangings, dresses and shawls. A newer craft that has become very popular with domestic and foreign shoppers are the rugs, carpets, wall hangings and stoles made from karakul lamb wool.