Kaokoveld
Safaris & Excursions with
Traditional Stories & Tales of an ancient
African culture, the Ovahimba people of Namibia's Kaokoland
- with our compliments
Ombahe Tours |
The Story of
ombahe
- the all important giraffe
The Ovahimba people describe the giraffe
in their own language, Otjiherero, as follows: "ombahe oyakaueza
oyomasemba nomatjika auangeri ketanga, mbahe komutima muua mbahe".
These words refer to the presence, characteristics, and gentleness of
the animal that are fascinating to the Himba for various reasons:
The giraffe moves slowly, gently and
determined of its destination. It never seems to be in a hurry and
always remains cautious of its environment. It walks tall yet in spite
of its size and strength is not aggressive.
"Ombahe" was also useful to the people in days gone-by, as beautiful
mats and strong ropes could be made from its skin. Only a few rich and
highly regarded Himba were wearing shoes made from the giraffe's skin as
a sign of their dignity. |
For centuries, The Ovahimba and their most admired mammal species - next
to useful domesticated cattle - lived side-by-side and in harmony in the
wilderness of Kaokoland. Only large-scale poaching and to some extent
also uncontrolled professional hunting, in the early and mid 1900's,
pushed the giraffe to the brink of extinction.
Today, much of Kaokoland is organised in conservancies, and its wildlife
species are protected by nature conservation laws. Thanks to the
tremendous concerted efforts of local communities in co-operation with
the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and non-governmental
organisations, visitors to the far north-western reaches of Namibia once
again are able to marvel at the beauty and grace of "ombahe" in its
natural habitat - browsing leisurely on the acacia vegetation while
keeping a watchful if not curious gaze from under the longest and most
beautiful eye-lashes in the animal kingdom fixed on anything and anyone
nearby, from a lofty height. |
