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Explore Namibia's rich and beautiful fashion culture

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The Republic of Namibia is a multi-ethnic country located in southern Africa with its own cultures and customs. The Coloreds and Busters, like the majority of white and black Namibians, share the same ancestry and cultural characteristics while maintaining a distinct communal identity.There are 11 different ethnic groups in Namibia. are thought to be, but in reality they are just a combination of a few ethnic groups with similar languages ​​and traditions.

Namibia is a diverse country where clothing spans cultures, times and places. No matter what they wear, whether it’s modern or Victorian, it means something. Namibian clothing says a lot about their culture by what they wear.

Damara

The Damara wore clothing made from animal skins. The main animal skins used for clothing and blankets were springbok, goat and jackal hides. Just as it distinguishes between boys, unmarried and married men, and men of a certain age, the traditional dress of Damaran distinguishes between girls, unmarried or married women, and older women. Unlike clothing, some costumes were reserved for specific rituals.

Animal skins were replaced by textiles in the Damara culture, where clothing was typically worn for cultural ceremonies and special occasions. is created. Damarochoe was adopted from a missionary bride in the mid-19th century. This dress was used to cover the ‘nude’ Damara woman, with her ankle length, long sleeves and ken (shawl) ensuring that it provided the maximum possible coverage.

The Nama

Early catfish were dressed entirely in animal skins. To stay warm, they wore robes that covered their skin in the winter and clothes inside out in the summer. One of the first things that changed was the clothes. Most of the Nama wear Victorian clothing, heavily influenced by settlers. A Nama woman’s traditional attire is her long formal dress, similar to Victorian-era clothing. The long, dangling garment has its roots in missionary fashion in the 1800s and still plays an important role in Nama culture today.

sample people

San people wear basic clothing. They are mostly hunter-gatherers, so they wear animal hides and skins. Women also wear animal skin skirts and trousers, leather jackets, and double leather aprons that cover the front and back with hair, arm, and leg decorations made of rings and necklaces. She wears a skirt, a leather coat, and a shoulder bag with everything she needs.

Kavango

Animal skins are used in the traditional clothing of the Kavango people. The women wore long braids made of plant fibers, spiral bracelets and bangles made of copper, and multiple round necklaces made of ostrich shell beads. will need to be replaced after a year or a few months of wear. Men regularly shave their hair.

The dress of the Kavango people was truly traditional. , the apron-like garment was much like a skirt.

Himba tribe

Although modern fabrics are increasingly being employed, the traditional clothing of Himba men consists of simple calfskin skirts paired with non-traditional clothing such as shirts and coats. Their sandals often contain discarded car tires as sole material. According to old traditions, the Himba still adorn themselves with traditional jewelry today. Many arm bracelets and necklaces made of ostrich eggshell beads, grass, cloth and copper are worn by both men and women. The white shell is known as an omba, and adult women wear beaded anklets to protect their feet from dangerous animal bites.

Herero

Herero women’s clothing choices are a constant reminder of the tribe’s disturbing past and recent history. Meanwhile, the Germans came dangerously close to wiping out the entire population. Their traditional dress subverts the style of their former masters as a continuing protest against the Germans who massacred them.Traditional Herero dresses, known as ‘ohhorokoba,’ are made with bright, colorful patterns and It’s her A-line garment with numerous petticoats. The result is a structured, wide skirt. A cow horn hat completes the outfit. Traditionally cattle breeders and people who measure their wealth in cattle, the Herero people honor this aspect of their identity by wearing this traditional garment.

Ovambo

Ovambo men wear shirts made from Ovambo, while Ovambo women wear long dresses, skirts and puffy short sleeves. I’m here. Ovambo women are further accessorized with beads, shells, hides, and hides on their waists. They can be identified by their clothing and the traditional dress of other tribes such as the Ovaherero and Namas, who frequently incorporate Ovambo fabrics. Oderella Her skirt is decorated with beads, seashells, and animal skin belts at her waist, and is worn differently depending on the woman’s age and marital status. These costumes are for traditional ceremonies like weddings and Orfuko.

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