Meet the Himba of northern Namibia. A family from Britain asked if they could come and stay with them. The villagers said, "Sure. Bring whatever you need." And they brought... ..this. The County Durham tribe? Now, British suburbia... Is it too early for a Prosecco? ..and rural Himba life... ..will exist side-by-side. Two 21st-century ways of living... Beans. That couldn't be more different. How many cows do you think I'm worth? Making each other question the choices we make. This is, I... ..I'm going to be honest, it made me question myself. Exploring together what it means to be human. All of the things that you want, I would want to get rid of. And discovering what really matters... Sunderland, boo! Newcastle, yay! ..in our short time on this Earth. Say cheese! Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Able 2020 The Moffatt family have been living in Namibia for two weeks. Today, a new arrival will be joining them in the Himba village of Otjeme. 65-year-old Christine is Betty's mum. Oh, my God, Nanny's here! She's been missing her family, so she heads straight to the house before meeting the Himba community. Oh, great to see you! Got a visitor! She's here. David Attenborough! Are you all right? I have really missed me nanny. I was just so excited for her to get here and to see and learn everything that we have. Because I think this is such an amazing opportunity and I know that me nanny will 100% get stuck in. How was your journey? Long. All the lumps and bumps all over the road. What do you think of that view? It's amazing, isn't it? It is fantastic. Are you excited? Are you nervous? A bit of both. One of the things that I love about Himba people is how direct they are. They will just say yeah, I like your rolls of fat. But just don't take offence. I'm glad they like them because I don't like mine. Yeah, you will enjoy it, Nanny. It's amazing. I don't really know a lot about this area. And it will be interesting to see the elderly people and what their place is. Are they respected? Maybe looked up to? With a bit of luck. Any new guest must be introduced to the village chief. Christine. Tijuone. Tijuone. Kanduuina? Today, Chief Tijuone's uncle is also visiting. A little bit nervous. Oh, that is nice. So you're just the chief of this village or other villages? All right. The big boss. The County Durham tribe? Yeah. How far do you go back in generations? About 300 years. (CHIEF CHUCKLES) I hope you have a good day. I can't get up. I can't get up. Old age. That's it! Today, Mark is joining his friend Mboki... ..who's teaching his children how to look after the goats. I would never in my dreams be able to teach my kids how to do this. They seem to be very young to be learning something like this. Work-wise? Honestly? The only things my kids have had to do is... ..maybe tidy their room and that's it. Yes. Everything else is done for them by either me or their mother. Once you're an adult, you're an adult for ever. So we want to keep our kids kids. Stay in bed that little bit longer. They get up just when they have to. Then get them downstairs. Their breakfast is there on the table for them. Kids in the UK... It's... ..the way it is. They were, like, digging. They were down in, like, a hole as deep as this roof. They were never nervous. They never batted an eyelid. But if we ask our kids to do owt, they always moan, don't they? It's just because we don't do things that way. You just want your children to grow up happy. For Ava, she doesn't tend to do a lot, But that's my choice, not really hers. It's because I prefer to do things. So I'm quite happy for her to not really be bogged down with loads of chores that I'm more than happy to do. Uetjikamba is one of Mboki's daughters. Both she and her friend, Versoranguaii, have a list of daily chores. While Betty and Mark prefer to make Ava's breakfast for her... Betty, get your whistle out. HE SINGS SNAKE CHARMER SONG LAUGHTER ..the Himba children fetch milk for their whole family's porridge. AVA! AVA! The things in my life that give me the most happiness would probably be... ..sleeping, my phone, Internet. Just lazing about, really. Sometimes, like, I might spend the entire day just on my phone! Hi! I'll talk to people. I'll be very nervous, but, like, but I feel like that's human nature, to be nervous to talk to someone you've never met before. I don't think I'd really be good outdoors. I'd probably panic for a while but then I'd be, like, "OK." "This is happening." Here, like, the kids are just very independent, like, not scared. They go out in the desert, like, with tons of dangerous animals. They're very fearless. I don't want to. I just feel like their udders are really gross. just don't want to touch them! SHE GRIMACES No, it's too gross! I can't! I can't! Oh, no! I'm not doing it right! Oh, this is weird. Oh, my God. I've never had this much pressure in me life. Children are pivotal to the Himba community. But elders are held in highest regard... ..especially if they are dead. If you don't consult with the deceased, you risk angering them. 89-year-old Ruhandi is performing an Okupueja ritual using leaves and holy fire to communicate with his ancestors. I can hear an awful racket around here. What's going on? What's that all in aid of? HE CHANTS VIGOROUSLY How are you? So, what are you singing? Ah, right. So, your ancestors are very important to you? I'm 65. I'm very honoured but I have to decline! Sorry! How many cows do you think I'm worth? Eight? Oh, big ones! Right. Well, at least I know my worth in this world! Eight big cows. Maybe 80? I think he's got the hots for me! Putting it bluntly. Easy! I think he's been a bit of a goer in his time! He's a ladies' man. I just noticed there was a machete. Whose is the machete? Is that yours? That is some tool. After seeing him tending the goats, today, Mark is joining Mboki's son, Katambo on a hunt. Katambo's grandfather would have hunted game but there are now strict controls on what can be killed. So, the boys are only allowed to hunt for rodents, rabbits and other small mammals. So, how do you kill the animals you catch? Who trained the dogs up, then? Wow! At eight years old, Katambo's already been taught to herd cattle, dig wells and forage for food. So, when you've been out hunting, have you ever seen any big predators? Jesus, man! I would not let our Ava go out, even if there was 20 kids, walking for miles where there are snakes and other creatures that, like, kill ya! Back home, you wouldn't let your eight or nine-year-old make cup of tea! The gap's huge between our two cultures. And the Himba boys' resourcefulness is soon called for. DOGS BARK The dogs are chasing something! RUSTLING I'm quite impressed with the kids. They know their stuff. Here! What's that? DOGS GROWL MARK WHISTLES Them dogs are keen, aren't they? Oh, you be careful. Eh up, Jesus Christ! * He needs to be careful. Jesus, man. It's too dangerous. I'd rather you come home safe. Mark is out hunting with eight-year-old Katambo and his two brothers. DOGS BARKS IN DISTANCE DOGS BARK Careful. Careful now. I never thought kids this young would be doing stuff like this. The dogs have caught a genet ` a small mammal commonly used as a bush meat throughout southern Africa. Got a good tail. What, do you cook it here or take it back home? I'm seeing this and I'm thinking I would allow any of my bairns to do this at such an early age. But, to be honest, we've gone health and safety mad, haven't we? Do you know? It does make me think a little bit, like, not to do too much for them, you know? Give them a little bit more responsibility. You are much tougher than the kids back home. Myself included. MARK CHUCKLES THEY CHATTER Most of the children in the village were born here. Often without any outside medical assistance. 24-year-old Uakaa is very close to giving birth. Uakaa's labour has already begun. Morro. Uakaa, you're very smiley to say that you are in labour. How are you feeling? Normally at home when people are in labour, they are not as chilled as you. Like, there is a lot of tears and screaming. Are you not allowed to go, "Aargh"? Are you laid like this when you give birth? Or how do you...? THEY LAUGH I do want children but I'll openly admit that I and really scared about giving birth. That's right. That is right! THEY LAUGH I waited 16 years. It... I don't understand how you can push a human out of your vagina and not make a noise. The strength of these women is just unbelievable. That's hurt my cervix just thinking about it. Ooh-ooh! But that is part of their tradition. They are so passionate and so proud about their culture, they do not want to break any of those traditions. Has she had the baby yet? No. She sat quite calmly. You didn't actually see hers sort of even... Wince. ..wince. Do you think you could have coped with no screaming, Nanny? Oh, no. I had great big long labours though. While these might, as well. Yeah, these might as well. You'd be a lot braver than I am. Extremely brave. Strongest, bravest women I have ever met. As well as experiencing the Himba way of life, the Moffatts like to entertain their new friends to give them a taste of... ELECTRONIC COUNTRY MUSIC ..County Durham culture. MUSIC CONTINUES Scarlett has made great friends with 28-year-old Kandisiko. Kandisiko likes it. And Betty's connected with Mboki's wife, Ueripanga. I genuinely feel like I have bonded and made another friend. And when I talk to her I feel like... ..I could be talking to a friend I had at home. We are going to play a game of Jenga. And this is something that we always play as a family. Just for fun, really. Just when we're sick of watching the telly, isn't it? So the aim is to just take one piece out at a time without knocking the tower over. Oh-ooh. Oh, yes! Kandisiko, it's your go. Well done. Yay. Ueripanga, are you having a go? Not too old. There's no age on Jenga. Yay! And then will put that there. It's your go. Your go. THEY SHRIEK THEY LAUGH Oh, no. No. Oh. That was good. DOORBELL RINGS We've got visitors. Hi. Muvii. TV: Every minute of every day... ..a baby is born in Britain. SHE MOANS That evening the Moffatts show their friends the British way of giving birth. I know it's the most natural thing in the world, but... WOMAN SCREAMS SCARLETT RETCHES Sorry. Have you ever seen...? No, I have never seen that. I always close my eyes at this bit. SHE SCREAMS I've heard that when you's have babies, you don't scream. But we scream a lot. THEY LAUGH The man's passed out. He's vomiting! THEY LAUGH Muvii, I've watched Scarlett being born. Would you fancy watching? THEY LAUGH Nice one. That is funny. As the Moffatts turn in... ..Uakaa is still in labour... ..silently giving birth. BABY CRIES * BABY CRIES Where's your little baby? Could I have a look at her? Oh, my God, look how little she is! Oh, my God, she is so cute. Wow, look at all of her hair. Beautiful. So, Uakaa, did you give birth by yourself? I cannot believe that you gave birth by yourself. And in silence. That's amazing. Uakaa won't raise her daughter herself. Is that what everyone does with the first-born? When Uakaa was explaining that her mum was going to be... ..be looking after her child, I was like, "This is insane. "Like, you've just given birth and you're saying that you are "handing over your baby," but it isn't like that. The more people that can care for your baby, the better. I'll let you sleep. My nanny was a single parent for a while and it sounds really difficult, but I just can't help but feel like was maybe a bit more Himba, she wouldn't of had the stresses and strains that she did have, because there would be somebody who was always there to help her. Hello. How are you? I suffer with a bad back. So I can sympathise. At 89, Christine's new friend Ruhandi is the oldest man in the village. I have been married three times. But in my country you get what you call a divorce. Gets rid of them. So how do you spend your day? Come and join me. What are we going to do? Oh, no, I gave that up along time ago. I just like a good night out and a bit of a dance. Grow old gracefully, that's what I say. I can stand up and show you. When you get you old bones moving! Yeah? HE LAUGHS HE SHOUTS EXCITEDLY Do you think we we'll get on Strictly? HE SHOUTS OUT EXCITEDLY He's not doing too bad for somebody of 89. An 89-year-old like that would be jumping about like that and dancing. That's fantastic. And he's got a hell of a sense of humour. Goodbye. Yeah, see you later tonight. HE LAUGHS I will. * COCKEREL CROWS Since arriving in Otjeme, Christine has been enjoying village life. Do you make the porridge? You're clever. We always say to our kids, "You don't touch matches or make a fire." They're expert at it. And how would you know when it's ready? When I was a child a long, long time ago I used to light a fire. Used to make breakfast before we went to school for the day. I'm frightened it flips out the pot. In my day we had jobs to do, before we went to school and when we came back from school. But suppose like kids here, that's how you were, that's how you were brought up. That's... I don't think we were any worse for doing it at all. No, I think... I think we were maybe a little bit better off. Here, let you have a go, you. While Christine sees the similarities between her own childhood and the Himba children's, Scarlett is struck by the differences. SCARLETT CHUCKLES Can you dance? Yay! It is a proper sense of community spirit. Even for the little ones. Like, when you think of kids, you think, they're, like, hogging everything for themselves. I have never seen kids share before like the way that they do. They all look out for each other and it is lovely to see. You practising? He's good. I tell you, he's going to be the chief one day. He's good. Like this, do we walk...single file? Since Christine arrived, Betty's friend, Ueripanga, has been wanting to introduce them to her 68-year-old mother, Ndu, and her cousin, Mahenje. Ndu, what are you doing? Oh, wow. Ah! Definitely walkin' with a bit of a swagger there, yeah, definitely. Do you have a special job as an elder? When we become too old, sometimes we get put in what they call an old people's home where other people look after you. And they don't actually... Your family doesn't have to actually look after them themselves. I thoroughly agree with you, definitely. Yeah. Sometimes people can't look after their parents. Depends on the situation. I'm going to look after you. Are You? Yeah. I'm not going to put you in a home. That's good. Yeah, I'm nice. If I lived in this community, I don't think I'd mind being an elder. I think they get a lot of respect. And they've got time to themselves now. When you've been alive as long as they have, it's your right. Nice full moon. It's really bright. It's the perfect evening for Mark to engage in one of his favourite hobbies. I'll be honest with you, I'm into UFOs, so... ..I'm always looking up at the stars anyway. It's just something that fascinates us. Cos we can't be by ourselves. I know some people find it far-fetched, but we can't be. Hello, Muvii. Muvii, the son of the village chief, is out walking with Katambo. Katambo, have a look through there. See the moon. Cover one eye. Go on, I'll cover that I for you. The marks on the moon are called craters. MARK CHUCKLES Oh, right. Oh. I don't know what to say to that one. Do you know that man has been on the moon? There's quite a few men that have been on the moon. No, they didn't stay long. They went there, picked up a few rocks and come back to the Earth. Katambo, would you like to go on the moon? That's wonderful. That's a good ambition, that. When I was little, my first job I wanted to do was to be a miner, believe it or not. But then when I got a little bit older, I wanted to be a sign writer. But I never got to that. No, trust me, I am, I am definitely too old. But it is a nice thought and thank you. What you want your kids to be when they grow up? That's good. That's brilliant, that. * In Otjeme villagers build their own homes. Often working together as a married couple. While the men create the structure using the strong branches of the Mopane tree, women take care of the plastering. The huts can last over ten years if they're repaired regularly. And today the chief's wife, Mukamitiri, is working on hers. Yes. What are we plastering it with? You don't mind if we wear gloves? All right, so... Where am I putting it? Like that? Oh, it's on me toes and everywhere! And you've got your slippers on. Yeah. It's me first time! God, never going to complain about hoovering again. So, who taught you how to do this? And then do you teach your children to do this as well? How many children have you got, sorry? Do they all live in the village? Are there many people from the village in the past who've left and not come back? So if somebody leaves the village, does it make you sad? It is not a very big community. I suppose the only way they can keep the village going is to keep some of the children back. Well, it's the system that they live by. And that's what we'd all have to do if we were in that situation. Morning. You know it's Father's Day, don't you? Yeah? I'm doing good. Happy Father's Day. Oh, morning. Cheers. HE CHUCKLES Back home when it's Father's Day you get cards off your children. And to say thank you to their dad, Scarlett and Ava are making breakfast. Father's Day is celebrated once a year. It's your own children that give you presents and do things for you. They are celebrating him being a dad. There you go. Cheers. Oh, right. We're going to organise a football match so that you and all of the other dads in the village could play football. These don't look the same size. It does look a bit ridiculous, doesn't it? It looks a bit like a doorway. I know everyone thinks their dad is the greatest, but mine really is. Today is just an extra special day of showing him how much he means to us. Muvii, our team is Newcastle. They're Sunderland. OK. Sunderland ` boo! Newcastle ` yay! THEY CHEER SHE LAUGHS Go on. Goat on the pitch. That's a first. This village is amazing. I didn't think I would get as emotionally attached. I feel like this is my community now. I feel like we're really starting to understand how they're living and what makes them tick. One more minute. Come on. CHEERING HE WHISTLES That's it. Newcastle win, one-nil. CHEERING One-nil. Newcastle win, one-nil. SHE GASPS Four-night walk?! I don't like shopping that much. It's taller than me! Didn't realise there would be so many people. Jesus. Do some people want to move to the garden? THEY CHUCKLE I've never, ever, ever slept, even in my own hometown, without my door locked, never mind without a door! Jesus! LAUGHTER