The 3 tribes (Karo, Hamar and Daasanach) in the Lower Omo Valley in Ethiopia

*WS 145 – The 3 tribes (Karo, Hamar and Daasanach) in the Lower Omo Valley in Ethiopia*

The Lower Omo Valley is a region, about 165 sq km in size, in the south western part of the country. It is home to about 200,000 indigenous people, involving some 16 main tribes, among them some of the most fascinating in the World. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its culture and diversity and the continuous interaction.

The villages are far apart. Shown a rare mini baobab tree and the dug-out canoe we had to take to cross a certain river. And huts of 2 tribes: Daasanach and Hamar.  

The Karo is a small tribe of around 1,500 people, renowned for their face and body painting, with white chalk, red ochre and black charcoal, etc. 5th and 6th photos. The Daasanach tribe numbers about 50,000. The women decorate themselves with necklaces and elaborate headgear. Many have a feather pinned onto the chin. 

The Hamar is a tribe about 45,000 strong. The women are famous for their elaborate hairdo and the practice of body scarification. They twist the locks with butter and red soil into crimson-coloured dreads. During the coming-of-age ceremony for boys, women folks with boys in their families participating in the ceremony would dance to a frenzy and allow men to whip them on the bare backs. Permanent scars are thus formed, considered a sign of devotion to the family. Some scars of the girl in the last photo are quite recently inflicted.