Kept continuously alight, the holy fire represents the ancestors of the villagers, who acts as intermediaries to the Himba's god, Mukuru.

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The most important part of the Himba village is the "okuruwo, " or holy fire.

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"I had to use holy water to put out the fire they set, " she recalls bitterly.

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Every year on Holy Saturday (the Saturday before Easter), the local parish priest lights a fire on the Hill of Slane in Patrick's honour.

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Carrying bread, wine, fish and fire, the participants make their way to Oudenberg Hill, climbing to the Holy Mary Chapel on the hilltop.

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