The Last Himba? The Challenge of an Evolving Culture

 Guido Donati* 04 Ago 2025

 

"The article's title, '“There Are No True Himbas Anymore: exploring the dynamics of the Himba culture and Land use in the face of change in Kunene Region, Namibia”', might seem like a definitive statement, but it's actually the starting point for a deep reflection on the challenges the Himba people of Namibia are facing."

Published in the journal Sustainability, vol. 16, no. 4, in February 2024, the research by Emilia N. Inman analyzes how one of Africa's most unique and resilient cultures is changing due to external and internal factors.

The Himba people have maintained a distinct identity for centuries, based on a pastoral economy and ancestral traditions. However, the article documents an unstoppable transformation, fueled by modernization, globalization, formal education, and the influence of religion. Environmental pressures, such as climate change, are also putting a strain on their traditional land-based lifestyle.

The research is based on the voices of the Himba themselves, who offer a multifaceted and sometimes contradictory perspective. Many interviewees acknowledge that their culture has changed. A crucial aspect of the study is the emergence of two conflicting feelings: on one hand, there are those who express deep regret for the loss of traditions, fearing that their identity will dissolve. On the other hand, there are those who accept these changes as inevitable and, in some cases, even necessary for survival in an evolving world.

In this context, the author's commentary is that the Himba people's resilience should not be sought in the rigid preservation of an immutable past, but in their ability to adapt. The idea that there are no "true Himba" is not a condemnation, but rather a realization that their culture is a living, dynamic entity. The article suggests that their ability to negotiate with new realities, integrating modern elements without completely losing their essence, is the only true strategy to ensure the sustainability of their culture in the future.

Ultimately, Inman's study invites us to move beyond the static concept of "cultural purity" and to understand that indigenous cultures are not museum artifacts, but communities in constant evolution, whose strength lies precisely in their ability to adapt and renew themselves.

https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/4/1582

 

 *Board Member, SRSN (Roman Society of Natural Science)

Ultima modifica il Lunedì, 04 Agosto 2025 12:04
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Scienzaonline con sottotitolo Sciencenew  - Periodico
Autorizzazioni del Tribunale di Roma – diffusioni:
telematica quotidiana 229/2006 del 08/06/2006
mensile per mezzo stampa 293/2003 del 07/07/2003
Scienceonline, Autorizzazione del Tribunale di Roma 228/2006 del 29/05/06
Pubblicato a Roma – Via A. De Viti de Marco, 50 – Direttore Responsabile Guido Donati

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