Communal living situations are home to 65 percent of Namibia’s population. In 1965, land was divided up and the 12 tribes were moved around and forced to stay in their new designated homeland areas.

Most of these homelands are communal, meaning that not one person or family owns the land, but all people in a community own and maintain the land. Ethnic tribal leaders govern each tribe’s designated homeland area. Members of each tribe take what benefits them most, and it is expected that everyone do their share of maintaining land and livestock. It is no one’s sole responsibility to invest in the upkeep and regulation of these resources. There are now 14 communal conservancies all throughout the country.

There is a veterinary controlled boundary that stretches across the northern part of Namibia called the Red Line. The purpose of the Red Line is to prevent the spread of disease among livestock. This line does not differentiate between communal or privately owned land, but most communal land is located in the area above the Red Line.

Below the Red Line, most land is owned either privately or by the government. There are fences to mark each of these plots of land, making it a veterinary controlled area, meaning that livestock is contained incase disease were to come about.

Livestock roam freely and graze openly and there are no fences to divide the homelands. One major disadvantage to this is that if disease were to break out, there would be no way of keeping it from spreading among all livestock of different communities. Land above the Red Line also faces problems with overgrazing since livestock are able to migrate freely to wherever there is grass to feed on.

Owning land is not only a huge physically labor intensive undertaking but also takes an extreme amount of emotional capacity. People are proud of their land, especially in Namibia. Many landowners have their land because of their ancestors maintaining and passing it down to them. People find their heritage, culture and identity in owning land.

Many people living on communal lands will move south of the Red Line and into the cities to seek better paying jobs because the land they live on is barely sufficient to meet their needs. Many end up living in the tin shack regions of the cities, such as the Katutura and DRC townships, not all by force but by choice since this is the cheapest option. Most often they run into the problem that living in and working in the city is so much more expensive than living on their land. Living in the city, they now have to pay for a taxi to get to work and pay taxes on water, electricity and food, whereas on their land these resources were available without tax and they lived where they worked.

Hunting on both communal and privately owned land is highly regulated and protected and can be done by obtaining permits. Both private and communal land hunting is a way that many Namibian farmers make part of their living, especially in times of extreme drought. Many register their land as pro hunting land so they profit from any game shot within their fence lines.

Lions, cheetahs, elephants, black rhinos and many other highly endangered predator species roam about the land north of the Red Line. Hunting of these predators is strictly forbidden, however, with poaching and lack of education, it still happens. It is harder to regulate and restrict hunting of endangered predators due to lack of general governing over the communal land. An exception to these strict hunting regulations occurs when a predator, such as a cheetah, were to kill livestock, a trophy hunter would be given permission to hunt this cheetah to keep it from killing any more livestock. This would also bring in more income and compensation to the owner of this livestock.

Livestock in communal livelihoods are regulated and monitored by the community that owns them. They are let out to graze during the day and then gathered and counted at night. Each member takes what he or she needs, knowing the amount of work needed to put in in exchange for what is taken.

Just 10 kilometers outside of Karibib, Namibia, nestled in the bush off D1953, sits Farm Habis; a 5,504 hectare, quaint, country cattle farm, not unlike many mid-20^th Century farms in rural United States. What sets Farm Habis apart, however, is its complete self sufficiency.

Farm Habis has been in the Schneider family since the father of Herbert Schneider, DMV, bought it in 1951. Herbert is the father of Bernd Schneider, a well-traveled and knowledgeable tourism specialist who has been with the Texas A&M and Prairie View A&M University students every step of the way since our arrival to Namibia. The Schneiders graciously opened their home to us for three days and two nights as we transitioned from the southern to the northern half of Namibia, and also between professors.

The hospitable Farm Habis is comprised of one main house, a guest house and three small bungalows—all at the main entrance to the farm. Past the last bungalow, down a strip of sandy road, is a campsite fitted with a large spot for a fire surrounded by benches, four outdoor showers and two toilets. This is where we did our intense camping.

Herbert, his wife, Ilme, and four farm workers tend 130 head of cattle, 80 sheep and goats, 24 geese and a handful of chickens. The sheep, goats, chickens—and occasionally the geese—are strictly raised for consumption, while cattle are sold for slaughter. The main house, guest house and three small bungalows are equipped with propane-powered stoves and refrigerators, and a braai—an outdoor barbecue pit—which is the main method for cooking lunch and dinner.

The entire farm gets its water from four different boreholes (wells) situated about the property. Water is pumped and stored in one 5,000 L tank and two 2,000 L tanks. These tanks feed household sinks, toilets and showers. To take a hot shower, a fire must be lit under the donkey—Schneiders’ name for the water heaters—to heat the water. The Namibian government buried a waterline on the farm to supply a nearby gold mine with fresh water. Although water does not currently flow through the pipeline, when it does, Habis will have the option to draw from the line, should their boreholes run low.

Farm Habis receives no electricity from NamPower (Namibia’s national electricity company). Instead, the main house has two 100-watt solar panels and two 12-volt batteries that power small lights throughout the house. The guest house has six solar panels and two-12 volt batteries ;the three bungalows each have one 60-watt solar panel. Just before twilight, petroleum lanterns across the property are lighted to illuminate the houses, bungalows and walkways.

Like most Namibian farms, Farm Habis is isolated from many conveniences in a major city. The nearest hospital is 40 kilometers away in Usakos, and although the Schneiders can purchase most groceries and household necessities at the OK Grocer in Karibib, propane for stoves and refrigerators must be bought 200 kilometers away in Windhoek.

American farmers, ranchers and families living in rural, and especially metropolitan areas, could learn a thing or two from Farm Habis. Instead of shaping the land to fit your needs (i.e. building million-dollar mansions, ponds with exotic fish or other extravagant luxuries that deface the earth), we should live in ways that embrace sustainability — take shorter showers, conserve electricity, and leave nothing behind.

In both Texas and Namibia, cattle are fixtures across the rural landscape and are among the most significant agricultural commodities. Currently in Namibia, the cattle population is greater than the human population. Beef is the highest earning agricultural export in Namibia. On July 13, 2016, Namibia was the first African country granted approval to export processed beef to the United States. Namibia takes great pride in their beef cattle. Beef producers regard cattle ownership as a status symbol. Cattle-raising is an integral part of many cultures and defines many aspects of Namibian farmers’ lives . Without cattle, many Namibians not only lose their source of revenue, but their way of life as well.

Water is a universal challenge faced by the agricultural industry, but in Namibia this challenge presents an ever greater threat to cattle farmers’ livelihoods . Namibia has had a severe drought since 2013. Texas recently underwent its own water crisis. The state was plagued by drought from 2010 to 2015, greatly impacting the beef cattle industry.

Cattle depend on large masses of land to provide ample grass for consumption. Without rainfall this feed source is quickly depleted. Dr. Herbert Schneider, owner of Farm Habis, is a renowned veterinarian in Namibia. Schneider anticipated the oncoming water shortages before the drought began and reduced his stocking rate by selling some cattle to extend the grazing period on his land. He reasoned, “I can always buy more cattle, but I can’t buy more grass.” Depending on the length of the drought, he must reevaluate his ability to continue raising or selling cattle to preserve the land. Other farmers in his region have not managed their land as carefully and have over-grazed their farms. As a result, when they do finally receive rain, their grass will take much longer to recover and replenish itself than the grass on Dr. Schneider’s farm. In Texas, many cattle owners were also forced to greatly reduce or sell their stock because the drought made grass a scarce resource; supplemental hay had to be imported from out-of-state at significantly inflated prices.

The search for suitable forage is an endless dilemma for cattle raisers. When driving in Namibia, it is not uncommon to see farmers grazing their cattle on the roadsides. Other farmers have resorted to more desperate measures, such as cutting fences of private landowners’ farms so they can feed their herds on available grasses or have them drink from limited water reserves. While I was attending a local farmer’s union meeting near Karibib, fence cutting by resettlement farmers was discussed. A resettlement farm is land purchased by the Namibian government and distributed to previously disadvantage people for agricultural purposes on a 99-year lease. At the meeting, some frustrations were shared among landowners about the resettlement farming program. Limited resources, such as grazing lands, water, and education about sustainable farming/ranching practices, continue to divide Namibians who make their livelihoods based on these resources. With the conclusion of the discussion, little resolution was evident; farmers noted how previous petitions for help from the government have been ineffective in stopping this ongoing conflict (fence cutting) between different farmers.

The majority of the farmers at the union meeting were “weekend farmers.” The drought, plus increased restrictions for exporting beef to South Africa, have made it difficult for private-landowners to make a living wage from their farms. Their privately-owned farms generally provide only supplementary income to their full-time employment. Many Namibians have found their land may be more valuable for tourism industry uses. Others are leaving their farms completely to pursue careers in the city.

The fate of many private-landowner Namibian cattle raisers is uncertain as the drought continues to make their lifestyles less feasible. Both Namibia and Texas must find ways to bring people back into agriculture to preserve those specific cultures, and our global well-being.

If somebody had asked me what the meaning of ‘cultural pluralism’ was three weeks ago, I would have given a dictionary definition without knowing its true meaning. Now, I could try explaining the meaning in many ways, but still not succeed because of my lack of words to describe new experiences and memories. However, I can show it.

Since day one, we have gotten to know each other in an unfamiliar environment outside our comfort zones, even though we began as 16 strangers who became friends in a foreign land. Not only did I get to know myself better through my peers, but I also learned the significance of different perspectives coexisting and while we are different, human nature is similar.

Heritage, the upbringing and roots of an individual, is something personal and has varied definitions across regions and groups of people. Damara women apply red clay on their cheeks to appear more attractive, whereas Himba women apply red clay to their entire bodies for perfume and sun protection. After visiting three villages, our group gained insights into many traditional ways of life, each with its own customs. For example, the Himba (about 50,000) have many traditions such as producing red clay from pounded and heated hematite stone, bathing in smoke, and using jewelry and hairstyles to differentiate between men and women.

My most impactful moments during the trip were when I was repeatedly reminded of Namibians’ pride of their culture. I’ve never experienced a people express such strong patriotism for their country, while trying to preserve their many cultures. This is a side many tourists do not notice in other countries; we can all appreciate the importance of love for one’s nation.

Many of these customs remind me of my own heritage and upbringing overseas. Where I grew up in New Delhi, Indians apply henna as tradition for weddings and festivals, whereas the practice has now also migrated to America as an art form that diversifies many communities. Diversity is a concept that connects ideas of Namibia and the United States; various cultures and their practices can coexist in a country.

A pluralistic nation is one in which various cultural groups have established their culture and function as smaller parts within a larger society. About 65 percent of Namibia’s population resides in the northern region; as a result, the education system struggles to provide opportunities for all students, and largely only those with access to financial resources are able to get ahead.

Justa, a primary school teacher from Rundu, described the hardships of her students as “brought upon the children because of a dysfunctional family.” That was not the first time I heard of such issues; even in America, children face problems when the eldest has to care for younger siblings, in lieu of a mother or father figure. As a life skills teacher, Justa mentioned teaching primary school children about the obstacles of teenage pregnancy and her own difficulty coping with the students’ conditions outside of school.

As a whole, Namibians epitomize the meaning of a truly united nation and each individual has the same pride in his or her culture. Realizing the importance of each culture group and its separate livelihood and learning to look past the disparities allows this country to be truly pluralistic.

Generalizing a group of people can be a slippery slope, especially when they are from a culture very different from your own. Students of Texas A&M and Prairie View A&M, including myself, have traveled across the globe to be immersed in Namibian culture. We are exploring this country for a month to better understand how it originated and where it is headed. As we say at TAMU, “from the outside looking in you can’t understand it,” Namibia has proven it is a place you have to see to comprehend.

While in Swakopmund, we met some Peace Corps volunteers who offered advice, as well as stories from their journeys in Namibia. One volunteer, Jennifer, shared a story of a Damara wedding. Jennifer explained how far guests travel to be with extended family of the bride, who is Damara. We learned of the struggle the newlywed couple had to remain traditional ways, although the groom was German. They had married beforehand in his hometown, but returned to Namibia for a Damara wedding. This included the groom requesting his wife for a week until her family finally allowed the ceremony to commence. We expected to learn of a large wedding, but were surprised when she said seven couples were married at the same time. Jennifer said the women wore what is expected at a western wedding, but the rest of the event was traditional Damara. This helped us be more in touch with what we saw in Twyfelfontein, the “doubtful fountain,” where many prehistoric carvings told stories of Damara people.

The Damara introduced us to the concept of a living museum, which is what I think of as a formal western idea used to sustain the history of a culture. Their living museum reminded me of the George Ranch in Texas, which demonstrates more than 100 years of Texas history. While at the museum, we learned phrases in the Damara language and experienced exhibits presenting the skills necessary to sustain the Damara lifestyle. Demonstrations included organic fire starting and traditional song and dance. The ladies in our group were marked with clay on their cheeks, used as makeup to represent the beauty in the Damara culture. We also watched a type of gambling that a chief of the tribe would play involving very high stakes, such as his wife.

Days later, we visited a Himba village where we experienced their culture through song, dance, and tales of their traditions. In the Himba village, we were welcomed into a typical family hut. A woman presented her traditional dress, shared a sample of the clay she used as skin protection, and coal she used as perfume. Our tour guide, Gerson, explained the tradition of knocking out their front teeth to speak their native language, Ovahimba. At the age of 13, Gerson requested to keep his teeth in order to speak English and to continue his education. The women did not have this choice and become wives to men in the village.

Educating others about Himba culture is handled with great professionalism because no one can explain it like they can. It is very important to accurately translate the messages of Himba culture from their native tongue into English. A tour guide is educated and responsible for conveying an image very effectively to guests such as us. Our journey has earned us a few stamps in our passports, along with lot of photos on our cameras. We still have a week of destinations ahead and much more to learn. By the end of this Namibia study abroad we will officially be able to say “from the inside looking out, you can’t explain it.”

As a child raised in rural America, the severe importance of communal conservation had little importance to me. My family had an individualistic approach to issues of land and water regulations. We believed there would be enough of these natural resources to last our lifetime, which was all that mattered. The world’s natural resources are vital to life, but will be depleted before too long. After having spent three weeks traveling throughout Namibia, I can personally attest to the challenges facing urban and rural communities.

Located in Southwestern Africa, Namibia currently has extreme conflicts with its management of natural resources. The past three years have had very minimal rainfall, causing many issues throughout the country. The capital city of Windhoek typically receives an average of 1700mm during the summer rainy season, while some desert areas may only get 15mm annually. Between vast desert lands and an arid atmosphere, Namibia has shortages of arable land and a dwindling supply of water. There are three dams supplying water to Windhoek— Swakoppoort, Von Bach, and Omatakoheld — a combined 32.4% last year, but are currently holding only 14.7% of their capacity. Many of these problems are accompanied and worsened by resource mismanagement in various communities.

One evening at the Karibib Farmers Association meeting, I posed a question to a member, Urs Kraehemann, who seemed to have vast knowledge of systematic farming logistics. I asked what types of restrictions he would place on water usage during this current drought if he were in the position to enforce regulations; his response was, “That is not my problem because I have my own water, that is their own fault.” I was blown away by his lack of concern in these desert conditions and viewed this perception as a problem.

While viewing the film Milking the Rhino, I was able to see another conflict in natural resource management. Having different occupations makes it easy for people to rank their own individual needs above those of others. While one person may want to rid his land of lions because they are killing his cattle, another person who guides lion hunts will lose a substantial amount of income due to the killing of this predator.

Tourism has become a large source of income in Namibia, but has to maintain boundaries to preserve what makes this country beautiful. Lodges, rest camps, and various locations for activities greatly boost local economies, but must be maintained appropriately so as not to disturb the natural resources because tourism is based on these resources.

In essence, I believe that managing community-based natural resources comes down to respect through the utilization of communication throughout a community. Discussing your land and water needs with others is necessary to have successes. There will never be a region that can thrive without each person understanding and respecting his/her neighbor. Coming to consensus in the community is vital to the proper and equal usage of resources.

Can the world grow without its people stepping on each other’s feet? Looking at the history of the U.S.A., the answer would be no. A demand for spices brought Columbus, ports caused a need for natives to move inward, and when mentioning the word gold, all bets are off. The preservation of people is too easily forgotten when personal needs and wants surface. I believe the U.S., and maybe the world, could learn a lesson from Namibia on how to preserve its people and natural resources.

Namibia, a 26-year old democratic nation is a great model for preservation. Namibia is one of the least dense countries, yet still enjoys growth in agriculture and other resources of the land. Through acknowledgement, education, and land preservation, the young government respects the history and culture of its people while managing to better the nation as a whole.

The first step in the continuation of people is for the government to acknowledge the eleven native tribes. In seeing how different cultures view land, the law has been set so that communal land and farming is possible. The government also works to educate the public so that each group can continue its culture. Public service announcements communicate the need for water preservation and other important messages for the survival as a nation.

Classroom education has a huge effect conservation of people and natural resources alike. Namibia commits one-third of its budget to education. The public university, University of Namibia (UNAM), has a special campus for agricultural education. An entire community using better agricultural techniques can increase their production and decrease resource consumption. One of the biggest issues Namibia faces is that farms fail and the people immigrate to the cities. The change in location and vocation has a negative effect on continuing people’s culture.

Another issue that Namibia combats is lacking revenue. With mineral-rich land, mining has stood as Namibia’s most marketable resource. Mining has also increased, in part, because of the nation’s low population density. Namibia averages about 3 people per square kilometer (PPSK); to compare, the U.S. has around 35 PPSK. Yet, there are always negative effects. A single uranium plant can consume as much as one hundred times the water as a city. Another issue is offers to build nuclear dumps in Namibia. The companies offer millions to create supposedly clean locations for nuclear waste to be deposited. These dumps create a huge danger for the people and natural resources of this beautiful country. An incident could destroy farmland and wild environments alike.

These dangers also make the country less marketable for tourists. Tourism is quickly growing to become their second most marketable industry. The strongest effect to prevent things that damage these natural resources is the creation of national parks. The U.S.A. is respected by the world for their efforts to save their remarkable landscapes and resources. These huge efforts have resulted in 14 percent of the country being protected in some way by law. Similarly, Namibia is protecting 14.1 percent of its land.

The world has a lot to learn from this young nation. Its first steps were in the right direction; respect people and natural resources alike. An acknowledgement of each distinctive culture, a commitment to education, and an early attempt to preserve important environments has made Namibia a model nation in conservation.

Before this study abroad experience the idea of collectivism, or the idea of valuing the community over individual desires, was never something I had ever deeply pondered. In the United States, though we may at times claim pride in our unity as a nation, individualism is really the ideology that reigns supreme. From how our capitalistic economy operates to how our government manages its day-to-day functions, people most often operate within the scope of the “survival of the fittest” principle. As a U.S. citizen, I was brought up in a society that emphasizes preservation of self over community, I was expecting to find the same thing in Namibia. However, what I discovered disproved every preconceived notion I had about this young nation.

Namibia’s collectivist ideals, from what I have observed, stem directly from their brief, but impactful history. Namibia as a country is only about 30 years old and is still developing in many ways. During the time before their independence, the nation was in a period of time referred to as the Apartheid. This was a period when intense segregation divided the various ethnic groups that inhabited the area. There was a great deal of tension between European settlers and native tribes. As a result of this conflict, roughly 22 percent of the country was established as “communal land” following independence. These communal lands now are home to more than 65 percent of Namibia’s population.

Honestly, when I first heard the term “communal land,” I initially thought of it as land that nobody owned. In reality, the opposite is true and it is better explained as land available for the community to inhabit. Certain areas are carved out specifically for particular tribes such as the Damaras. Though for some nomadic tribes, such as the Himbas or Bushman, movement was limited when communal land was established. This sounds similar to the Indian reservations established in the U.S. after the Indian Allotment Act; however, the key difference is that the tribes were not forced into areas against their will. The communal lands in Namibia are areas that the native tribes inhabited for generations. They were not forced into areas that lacked resources for their use. As a result, many tribes still have the opportunity to practice their culture without interference from others.

Collectivism is something that can be realized only when every member of the community can find a reason to cooperate with one another. Culture is a prime example of something that all Namibian’s value deeply. Other examples of things that Namibians hold dear include the country’s environment and native wildlife. All citizens value culture and their natural resources as documented in Namibia’s constitution; they are able to come together and focus their effort on preserving what they hold dear. That in and of itself is the very definition of collectivism.

U.S. citizens often look for ways in which we can aid other countries, and yet we still have so much to learn as a nation ourselves. Namibia sets an example that other nations should strive to follow. Perhaps if the United States operated as a collectivist society there would be no such thing as LBGT pride, but rather pride in our nation as a whole. Citizens would understand that it’s not only Black Lives that matter, but the lives of people in general. Collectivism is about understanding and respecting our differences to collaborate for the good of everyone. It is the ideal Namibians live by every day and an ideal every nation should aspire to achieve.

During our travels, we have learned how Namibia struggles with the preservation of people versus natural resources. Both local culture and resources are treasured and respected. There is a delicate balance between the two. Preservation of people and culture plays an important role in Namibia’s heritage. Namibians are proud and cling tight to their . Natural resources are not only valued to sustain life, but also draw thousands of tourists a year, which boosts the economy. Managing these two can be difficult as they intersect often within the economy.

Our group of Texas A&M and Prairie View A&M students visited the Namib Desert in Swakopmund, Namibia. The Namib Desert is a valuable natural resource and a popular tourist destination. While in Swakopmund, we took in a Living Desert Tour in the Dorob National Park. During the tour, we learned about the delicate balance between the unique ecosystem of the desert and the tourism economy occurring in Dorob National Park.

The Namib Desert is protected by several laws governing the tourism industry to maintain the area’s wildlife and ecosystem. The sand dunes in Dorob can be affected by the slightest human interaction or activity. Motorized vehicles leave tire tracks that last for years due to the delicate landscape of dunes and surrounding areas. Balancing the preservation of the Namib Desert and the tourism industry, which can cause a negative impact on the environment, is a difficult task.

During our Dorob Park tour, we were allowed to walk on pre-designated foot trails and drive on a worn path, so as to not disturb habitats and cause unsightly marks in the sand. The Living Desert tour guides expressed to us that there are regulations in place allowing only certain operators and vehicles within the park. Paths and roads are regulated to prevent long-lasting tire tracks and other unnatural effects in the ecosystem. In the Dorob National Park, tourism is balanced with preserving natural resources in the Namib Desert. Nature tours, such as the Living Desert Tour, and recreational uses (dune buggies and 4x4s) both have spaces in the Dorob National Park. While there are restrictions in place, tourism is allowed because displaying the beauty of Namibia is a core value of the country. Tourism opportunities also provide jobs for Namibians and is an integral part of the economy, second only to mining, providing 10% of the country’s GDP.

The Namib Desert is not the only natural resource in Namibia challenged by inhabitants’ culture. Mining, accounting for 13% of Namibia’s GDP, is also a delicate natural resource. However, mines support many small towns, including Karibib. Without mines, many Namibian towns would lack jobs and an economy to sustain themselves.

The unemployment rate of 27.4% makes every job essential for life in Namibia. Mines are not guaranteed to last forever. Eventually the resource is depleted and miners must move. Mining also disrupts the landscape and causes a plethora of problems. When visiting Farm Habis, outside of Karibib, we learned that anyone with N$25 can apply and receive a prospect license to enter private land to search for mining opportunities.

Prospecting occurred on Farm Habis. What once was a beautiful mountain for the zebra to graze is now riddled with the skeleton of an abandoned white marble quarry. Unfortunately, there is little that land owners can do to prevent prospective miners from entering their property.

This issue affect farms and also impacts tourist attractions. Disrupting a habitat can ruin the prospect of wildlife habitat, and the opportunity for tourists wanting to see such wildlife. Preserving the untouched nature of Namibia is essential. The unique ecosystems and landscape sets Namibia apart from the rest of the world.

Mining can be extremely disruptive to the landscape, leaving scars on the land that will never heal. Mines destroy the opportunity for many to thrive long term because they destroy the natural beauty of the landscape in Namibia. Since mining accounts for a large percentage of Namibia’s economy, it is difficult to balance mining with the nearly equal tourism industry. Both are essential to Namibia’s culture and economics.

Through our time here, we have learned how important tourism is to Namibia’s economy. Namibians enjoy displaying their culture and lands to others, but struggle to find a balance between preservation and interaction. Desert tours and mining are only a couple examples of the struggle between preserving natural resources and Namibians’ culture that makes Namibia so special.

Land in Namibia can be classified as privately-owned or communal land. According to NACSO, Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organizations, “Communal Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) is the collective use and management of natural resources in rural areas by a group of people with a self-defined, distinct identity, using communal owned facilities.” A natural resource can be communally-owned, so what type of natural resources are communal areas responsible for managing and maintaining? The primary natural resources in communal areas are land, water and air.

Land in Namibia is utilized in three ways: farming, mining and tourism. Tourism in communal lands is an issue that our class has experienced personally. When watching a movie called, Milking the Rhino, my classmates and I saw tribes on communal land deal with incorporating the modern world into their societies. We learned that tribes struggle to integrate tourism into their deeply-rooted cultural lives.

Today, tribes such as the Himba, profit from the tourism industry. The Himba village benefits from tourism by allowing people to come into their homes and learn about their way of life. They maximize profit in their living museum through souvenir sales. Himba women sit in a circle with their jewelry and woodcarvings neatly on display to sell to tourists at the end of the tour. Through this continuous cycle, the Himba benefit from tourism through a communal lifestyle, allowing for their village to grow and prosper.

Namibia is experiencing a three-year drought; so finding sustainable water sources is very difficult. Communal areas tend to lack a sense of responsibility or awareness in managing and maintaining resources properly due to the absence of education and the deficit of personal land ownership. When communal areas in Namibia misuse water, there is no personal or immediate consequence. In comparison, the United States employs water management strategies, such as water regulations for lawns or the location of car wash companies. Namibia on the other hand doesn’t have the flexibility to do the same because they risk the chance of raising the unemployment rate if they withhold the water from car wash businesses. But, problems still arise months later when the water source is depleted for everyone in the region or community.

Our class visited the Hardap Dam where we learned this source of water has decreased to a significantly low level because of Namibia’s drought. Water is a natural resource essential for man’s survival. Therefore, communities need to become more knowledgeable about and responsible for their water resources.

Air is another essential natural resource. Many people in Namibia consider clean, unpolluted air to be available in surplus. Yet pollution, illness and disease travel through the air, damaging this resource especially in urban areas. It is a common practice on communal lands in Namibia to practice utilized, controlled burning, similar to what we use in the United States, to replenish the nutrients in the ground for the next season of planting. The smoke produced through this practice pollutes the air.

Air is one of the most important and valued natural non-renewable resources. However, it can be disregarded because clean air is not easily seen or acknowledged as a limited resource. It’s crucial that people in communal areas recognize the value of clean air and take action to protect this resource.

Namibia possesses many valuable resources. What I’ve seen through researching CBNRM in Namibia is the potential the country has to maximize its resources. Education regarding resource management needs to be of high priority in communal areas so people learn how to maximize their lands. Resource regulations by the government are also needed to ensure security and stability. Taking the correct measures will ensure sustainability for the future.