These striking images show the very pervasive nature of globalisation, as an elegant tribeswoman in traditional dress and mud for sunscreen checks out deals on washing powder.
The woman, from the Himba tribe in Opuwo, Namibia, popped into her local grocery store to pick up a few of life’s essentials.
Himba tribespeople lead a very traditional lifestyle, but are often seen using services in their local villages and cities.
Tradition meets the modern world: The elegant woman, believed to be in her 20s, is a member of the Himba tribe in Namibia
The woman, thought to be in her early 20s, was pictured by Swedish wildlife and documentary photographer Bjorn Persson.
The 44-year-old said: ‘The lady took me completely by surprise, as I was just doing my grocery shopping in a local supermarket while filming a documentary about the Himba tribe.
‘She did not notice me at first, but after a while she realised what I was doing.
Himba tribe members cover their body and hair with mud in order to protect them from the sun
‘The Himba women always dress like that, no matter if they are at home in their village or visiting the big, modern cities.
‘It’s for their own beauty and tradition. They don’t just dress up for tourists as some other tribes do.
‘The hair and whole body is covered with a certain kind of mud to protect them from the sun, and the clothes are mostly made of goat skin.’
