Explain why the Epupa Falls are important to the residents.

Cultural and identity importance for local communities

The Epupa Falls hold powerful significance for the Himba people, who have always inhabited this region. They represent a sacred place closely tied to their history, traditions, and ancestors. It is where they regularly hold ancestral rituals, celebrations, and important ceremonies such as weddings or initiations. These practices allow local communities to strengthen their cultural identity and pass on their knowledge and values to younger generations. For the Himba, preserving the falls and preserving their own culture are closely linked.

Source of economic income through local and international tourism.

The Epupa Falls attract thousands of tourists each year, primarily local but also many international visitors. Naturally, this creates many small local jobs in the surrounding villages: accommodations, tour guides, sales of traditional crafts, and dining. Many residents earn their living through community camps or rural guesthouses they offer to visitors. This boosts the entire local economic activity directly (sales of local and traditional products) but also indirectly: for example, through the development of infrastructures (roads, transport services). As a result, families in the villages can better meet their daily needs thanks to the regular income generated by responsible tourism.

Sustainable use of water resources for agriculture and domestic consumption

The communities living around the Epupa Falls depend directly on water to cultivate their fields. They practice family farming oriented towards self-sufficiency, primarily growing maize, sorghum, and staple vegetables that require a reliable water supply to thrive. Access to such a consistent resource allows residents to maintain a certain level of food autonomy without depleting available reserves. Furthermore, the water from the falls is used daily for domestic needs, such as cooking and hygiene, making the management of the flow crucial, especially during dry periods. Over time, the inhabitants have developed ingenious skills that enable them to draw and consume water while preserving its availability in the long term.

Essential habitat for local biodiversity

These waterfalls create a unique ecosystem, housing a variety of animal and plant species. The proximity to water particularly attracts a diversity of birds such as African fish eagles and several rare species that come to feed or live there permanently. The area also provides an ideal refuge for local reptiles, such as Nile crocodiles, as well as some mammals, including the African clawless otters. The plants also benefit from the humid microclimate to thrive, including several rare species adapted to these wet and rocky conditions. Without these waterfalls, many of these species would struggle to survive, making the place truly essential for local conservation.