Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
ancestor worship. OvaHimba, Oruzo, genealogy, patrilineage ceremonial responsibilities
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Anthropology
Abstract
The OvaHimba tribe of Southwest Africa have a tradition of ancestor worship that extends back into the past when their ancestors made the long trek from the Horne of Africa into present day Namibia. This subgroup of the Herero tribe are pastoralists with limited horticulture of maize to subsidize their cattle products. These cattle are divided into secular and religious wealth. The religious wealth is inherited from father to eldest son. The religious inheritance of the OvaHimba is called the Oruzo. Oruzo is the religious aspect which I focused on in my studies of genealogy and ancestor worship among the OvaHimba.
Recommended Citation
Slade, Travis
(2014)
"ANCESTOR WORSHIP AMONG THE OVAHIMBA OF NAMIBIA,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014:
Iss.
1, Article 159.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/159