Portrait of an Herero elderly lady (Namibia).

Herero are an ethnic group inhabiting parts of Southern Africa, primarily in Namibia.

They are traditionally cattle-herding pastoralists who rate status on the number of cattle owned.

Herero wear the traditional headdress, which symbolized the horns of cows, their main source of wealth.

Though the attire was initially forced upon the Herero, it now operates as a new tradition and a point of pride.

This lady (81 years old at the time of the shot) lives in a small village counting about 40 people.

Due to work needs, the rest of the inhabitants are forced to leave the village to reach the nearest city, a few days' walk away. Rarely do they come back for more than a few days.

Throughout the year therefore, the old lady remains the only inhabitant of the village, taking care of the farm animals and properties of all the other dwellers.