Omo Valley is undoubtedly one of the most unique places on earth and the discovery of human remains dating back nearly 2.5 million years prompted UNESCO to dub the Lower Valley a World Heritage site in 1980.
The villages are home to some of Africa’s most fascinating ethnic groups and a trip here represents a unique chance for travellers to encounter a culture markedly different from their own. Whether it’s wandering through traditional Dassanech villages, watching Hamer people performing a Jumping of the Bulls ceremony or seeing the Mursi’s mind-blowing lip plates, your visit here will stay with you for a lifetime.
The landscape is diverse, ranging from dry, open savannah plains to forests in the high hills and along the Omo and Mago Rivers. The former meanders for nearly 800km, from southwest of Addis Ababa all the way to Lake Turkana on the Kenyan border.
Attractions in Omo Valley
Arbore tribe
The Arbore tribe is a small tribe (c7,000) that lives in the southwest region of the Omo Valley, near Lake Chew Bahir.
Arbore tribe
Renowned For Its High Spiritual Status
The Arbore tribe is a small tribe (c7,000) that lives in the southwest region of the Omo Valley, near Lake Chew Bahir. Their names literally means Land of Bulls. Like most Omo Valley tribes they are pastoralists so cows, goats and sheep are the main source of existence and value.
The main feature differentiating Arbore from other tribes is their high spiritual status and it is believed that Arbore priests are endowed with special strength and power. In addition, they believe that their singing and dancing eliminates negative energy and with the negative energy gone, the tribe will prosper.
Arbore girls and married women adorn themselves with rich ornaments of beads and metal and are easily distinguished from other tribes through their array of necklaces. Unmarried girls shave their heads and wear black cloths to protect them from the sun. Men wrap their heads with white cloths. Marriages are extremely important and the Arbore tribe have many rituals and celebrations.
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Ari tribe
The Ari are the agricultural and pottery-making indigenous ethnic group which live in the northern part of the Mago National Park.
Ari Tribe
Agricultural And Pottery Making Tribe
The Ari are the agricultural and pottery-making indigenous ethnic group which live in the northern part of Mago National Park. The culture and language of the 120,000 Ari tribe are less explored in Ethiopia. They are privileged to have the largest territory of all the tribes in the area.
An Ari’s crop can consist of grains, coffee, fruits and honey. It’s also common for them to have large herds of livestock. At the local market, you will see rich displays of Ari pottery.
As you travel through the green mountains, you will see the Ari’s attractive grass-roofed houses, which are decorated with beautiful wall-paintings in natural colours. Painting is actually a woman’s activity and the Ari word for wall-paintings is bartsi what means “giving beauty”. Each woman has her own personal style of painting involving different patterns, motifs, materials and patterns.
Ari men and women wear a lot of jewellery, have many ear piercings and wrap beads and bracelets around their arms and waist for decoration. For key ceremonies, they also paint and scar their bodies.
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Bana Tribe
The Bana (Banna, Bena, or Benna) are pastoral and semi nomadic people (c24,000) living in the harsh environment.
Bana Tribe
Bana men are renowned for their elaborate hair dressing
The Bana ((Banna, Bena, or Benna) are pastoral and semi nomadic people (c24,000) living in the harsh environment of the lower Omo Valley. There are several theories regarding their origins, although they are racially mixed with the Bushmen hunters who originally inhabited the region, they do not have any Bushmen features. Some agree that they are clearly a mixture of the Caucasian and Negroid races whilst others state they are related to the Hamer tribe. Come and see for yourself.
The Bana herds mainly consist of cattle, although there are some sheep and goats. Most Bana plant fields of sorghum at the beginning of the rainy season before leaving on their annual nomadic journey. Some households also plant sesame and beans. In dry seasons honey collection is the major economic activity of the Bana people.
The Bana live in family units and their homes are arranged in a circle, with the cattle brought into the centre each night. The houses are constructed with flexible poles set in the ground in a circular pattern, which are then bent upward, joining at the top and tied. They are covered with thatch during the dry season and canvas mats during the rainy season and are a great example of how the tribe adapts to its harsh environment.
One striking characteristic of the Bana men is that they indulge in elaborate hair-dressing. They wear a clay “cap” that is painted and decorated with feathers and other ornaments. A well-dressed man will wear a toga-like cloth and carry a spear and a stool. Women also commonly wear colourful toga-like garments.
The Bana practice many elements of their traditional religion and believe that natural objects (rocks, trees, etc.) have spirits. They also believe in jinnis, or spirits that are capable of assuming human or animal form and exercising supernatural influence over people.
In Bana, there are at least 27 words for the subtle variations of colours and textures of a cattle! And each man has three names: a human, a goat and a cow name.
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Dassanech Tribe
This is the most southerly of the Ethiopian tribes and the Dassanech live where the Omo River delta enters Kenya’s Lake Turkana ..
Dassanech Tribe
Ethiopia’s most southern tribe Ethiopia’s most southern tribe
This is the most southerly of the Ethiopian tribes and the Dassanech live where the Omo River delta enters Kenya’s Lake Turkana – their name means ‘People of the Delta’. Despite the lake and delta, this is an incredibly dry region and the 20,000-strong tribe are renowned for adapting to these harsh conditions. To visit them, you will take a handmade boat made out of a hollowed tree trunk across the Omo River.
The Dassanech without cattle are known as ‘Dies’ and whilst considered members of the tribe, they are to some extent culturally, set apart. The different members of the tribe do, however, help each other. In times of need, Dies provide food for the Dassanech families as well, sharing crocodile meat and fish with the villages. The Dassanech, in turn, give the Dies meat from goats or cattle. In good times, Dies can acquire livestock again and return to being herders, by exchanging goods for small stock and acquiring more and more livestock over time. Ideally, being Dies is only a temporary thing until they can return to ‘being’ Dassanech again.
The Dassanech tribe is divided into eight main clans, each has its own identity and customs and in turn, its own responsibilities. The Crocodile clan are believed to have power over both water and crocodiles and are responsible for dealing with gland related diseases. The Turat clan are responsible for dealing with fire burns and have powers to keep away snakes, cure many diseases and keep away enemies from their animals. The Turnyerim clan have powers over drought, they pray for rains during dry periods and they can also cure snakebites by spitting on the wound.
The biggest ceremony in a man’s life is called Dimi. Its purpose is to celebrate and bless his daughter for fertility and future marriage. When he has gone through Dimi, a man becomes an elder. About 10 cattle and 30 smaller animals are slaughtered and other stock is traded for coffee. Men and women dress in animal fur capes to feast and dance, and the leaders of the village bless the girl. During ceremonies, men dance with big sticks.
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Hamer tribe
Located in the far south west of Ethiopia live the 50,000 strong Hamar tribe, one of the most known tribes.
Hamer tribe
Home Of The Bull Jumping Ceremony
Located in the far south west of Ethiopia live the 50,000 strong Hamar tribe, one of the most known Ethiopian tribes. They live in the territory east of the Omo River and have two villages, Turmi and Dimeka.
They are agro pastoralists, which means that they are both successful cattle herders and farmers. The land isn’t owned by individuals; it’s free for cultivation and grazing. The Hamar move on when the land is exhausted. In the dry season, whole families go to live in grazing camps with their herds, where they survive on milk and blood from the cattle.
Just as for the other tribes in the valley, cattle and goats are at the heart of Hamar life. They provide the cornerstone of a household’s livelihood; it’s only with cattle and goats to pay as ‘bride wealth’ that a man can marry.
The Hamer tribe have unique rituals such as the bull jumping ceremony that boys go through in order to reach adulthood. It’s the ceremony which qualifies him to marry, own cattle and have children. The timing of the ceremony is up to the man’s parents and happens after harvest. As an invitation, the guests receive a strip of bark with a number of knots – one to cut off for each day that passes in the run up to the ceremony.
For the young man leaping over the cattle, before the ceremony his head is partially shaved, he is rubbed with sand to wash away his sins, and smeared with dung to give him strength. Finally, strips of tree bark are strapped round his body in a cross, as a form of spiritual protection.
Meanwhile, the Maza and elders line up about 15 cows and castrated male cattle, which represent the women and children of the tribe. The cattle in turn are smeared with dung to make them slippery. To come of age, the man must leap across the line four times. If he falls it is a shame, but he can try again. At the end of the leap, he is blessed and sent off with the Maza who shave his head and make him one of their number. His kinsmen and neighbours decamp for a huge dance.
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Karo tribe
The Karo tribe, consisting of c1,500 people, is the smallest ethnic group in the Omo Valley. They live along the east banks ...
Karo tribe
Famed for their body painting, decorating with nature
The Karo tribe, consisting of c1,500 people, is the smallest ethnic group in the Omo Valley. They live along the east banks of the Omo River and it is the source of their livelihood. Annual flooding makes the area’s biodiversity rich and therefore plentiful for collection, which the Karo use to their advantage.
The Karo people differentiate themselves by excelling in body and face painting. They paint themselves daily with coloured ochre, white chalk, yellow mineral rock, charcoal, and pulverized iron ore, all natural resources local to the area. The specific designs drawn on their bodies can change daily and vary in content, ranging from simple stars or lines to animal motifs, such as guinea fowl plumage, or to the most popular – a myriad of handprints covering the torso and legs. The men use clay to construct elaborate hairstyles and headdresses, signifying status, beauty, and bravery.
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Konso Tribe
Konso is a UNESCO world heritage site and makes a perfect day trip for those seeking to take in more of the cultures...
Konso tribe
“UNESCO world heritage site, famed for its stone walled terraces”
Konso is a UNESCO world heritage site and makes a perfect day trip for those seeking to take in more of the cultures of Ethiopia’s southern region. Konso is best known for its stone walled terraces and fortified settlements, a spectacular example of a living cultural tradition stretching back 21 generations (more than 400 years) adapted to its dry hostile environment. Konso has unique anthropomorphic wooden statues (Waga) - grouped to represent respected members of their communities and particularly heroic events - which are an exceptional living testimony to funerary traditions that are on the verge of disappearing. Stone steles express a complex system of marking
the passing of generations of leaders.
The erection of stones and poles is part of the Konso tradition. A generation pole is raised every 18 years, marking the start of a new generation. The age of a village can be determined by how many poles are standing.
The Konso is a very interesting tribe to visit on your trip to the lower Omo Valley.
A popular highlight of Konso Village is the aptly named New York. Created by erosion, these tall, narrow mud towers of red clay are named for how they resemble the skyscrapers of the Big Apple.
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Mursi Tribe
Surrounded by mountains and the Omo River on either side, the Mursi (7,500 people) live in the Mago National Park.
Mursi tribe
Beauty redefined – women wearing unique lip plates
The 514-sq-km Nechisar National Park spans the narrow yet mountainous ‘Bridge of God’ (an inthmus between Lake Chamo and Lake Abaya) and contains diverse habitats ranging from wide-open savannah and acacia woodland to thick bush and sections of riparian forest. The bleached savannah grasses actually spawned the park’s name, which means ‘white grass’ in Amharic. It ranks among the most scenic national parks in East Africa.
The park is an African wonderland, where visitors can easily come across gazelles, zebras and baboons. The park also has populations of bushbuck, bush pig, Anubis baboon, vervet monkeys, and black-backed jackal. It is also home to many endemic birds, including kingfishers, storks, pelicans, flamingos and fish eagles.
Take a car or hike across the Bridge of God or travel by boat across Lake Chamo and enjoy a trek across the savannah, enjoying the wildlife and glimpsing into local homes to learn more about daily life.
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Nyangatom
tribe
In order to visit the Nyangatom tribe, you need to cross the Omo River and take a small walk across the stone scorched desert.
Nyangatom tribe
Omo valley’s feared and fierce warriors
In order to visit the Nyangatom tribe, you need to cross the Omo River and take a small walk across the stone scorched desert. Upon arrival, you will meet a unique tribe. They live on the border with South Sudan (c30,000 over both countries) and are considered one of the richest and most prosperous tribes. Vast lands allow the tribe to graze a large number of cattle but different to other tribes, the men hunt crocodiles using harpoons and a local canoe. They have gained the reputation of being the feared and fierce warriors.
As with other tribes, you will learn a lot about a woman’s social status, place in society, children, and age from her appearance. Nyangatom women wear a lot of different beads on their necks, which they never ever take off. As a young girl, she gets her first strand of beads as a gift from her father and for all the years of her life she adds more and more. Sometimes you can see a woman who wears up to 6-8 kg of beads! The skirt of an unmarried women is made from goatskin, cleaned with lint and embroidered with the bright beads. Married women’s skirt are not embroidered with beads but the bead necklaces will be higher.
The Nyangatom tribe smoke out beehives and enjoy the honey. They are also famous for their unique storytelling and singing prowess.
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Suri tribe
The 34,000 strong Suri tribe live in the southwestern plains of Ethiopia and South Sudan. They are successful livestock farmers ....
Suri tribe
Ethio Sudanese Tribe
The 34,000 strong Suri tribe live in the southwestern plains of Ethiopia and South Sudan. They are successful livestock farmers (cattle, goats and sheep) and horticulturists, using rain fed and garden based cultivation methods. During the dry season, they also collect honey.
Cows are very important to the Suri – economically, socially, symbolically – and at times they risk death to protect their herd. Suri men are judged by how much cattle they own and are not allowed to marry until they have at least 60 cattle for the dowry. To praise their cattle or mourn their deaths, the Suri sing songs for them.
The Suri share traditions with the Mursi tribe and body decoration is an important marker of beauty. During adolescence, most girls have a plate inserted in their bottom lip as an indicator of attractiveness. Scars are also considered desirable and the Suri practice scarification rituals to create as many as possible.
The Suri have a traditional belief system with a supreme sky deity called Tumu, which brings rain and fertility. Ancestors are also considered to have powers over the health and destiny of the living.
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Attractions in Arba Minch
Dorze
Dorze village is a beautiful drive up the mountains and welcomes visitors to see and experience their traditional way of life ..
Forty Springs
Believed by many to carry sacred healing properties, the Forty Springs located in are the natural wonder that..
Lake Chamo
Lake Chamo and its sister lake, Abaya, nestle in the Great Rift Valley and are ringed by savanna plains and...
Nechisar National Park
The 514-sq-km Nechisar National Park spans the narrow yet mountainous ‘Bridge of God’ (an inthmus between Lake...