Southwest Ethiopia Collection

Two Mursi men with singular hairstyles play a game of bau as a young boy watches them. Most men possess rifles to protect their families from hostile neighbours

A Mursi man smears his body with a mixture of local chalk and water and then draws designs with his fingertips to enhance his physical appearance.The Mursi speak a Nilotic language

A Mursi woman wearing a large clay lip plate. Shortly before marriage, a girls lower lip will be pierced and progressively stretched over a year or so

A Dassanech man with a shock of hair.; The Omo Delta of southwest Ethiopia is one of the least accessible and least developed parts of East Africa

Ethiopia, Southwest Ethiopia, Omo River. Sunset on the banks of the Omo River near a Dassanech village. Two dome-shaped granaries are just visible in the trees

A Karo homestead close the Omo River. The small thatched huts built off the ground are food stores. The Karo are a small tribe living in three main villages along the lower reaches of the Omo River

The Karo excel in body art. Before dances and ceremonial occasions, they decorate their faces and torsos elaborately using local white chalk, pulverised rock and other natural pigments

In the early morning, a Dassanech man puts on his serval cat skin cape and ostrich-feather headdress to participate in his Dimi ceremony, an important initiation ceremony

A Mursi mother and child. The mother shades her shaven head from the sun with a small decorated leather apron.The Mursi speak a Nilotic language and have affinities with the Shilluk

Hamar women dance, sing and blow small tin trumpets during a Jumping of the Bull ceremony. The semi-nomadic Hamar of Southwest Ethiopia embrace an age-grade system that includes several rites of

Two Hamar children silhouetted by the setting sun. The Hamar of Southwest Ethiopia are semi-nomadic pastoralists whose whole way of life is based on the needs of their stock

Assisted by her husband, a Hamar woman draws water from a deep well to give to her familys herds.; The Hamar of Southwest Ethiopia are semi-nomadic pastoralists whose whole way of life is based

A Hamar mother and child moving home. The mother carries all her possessions with her including sleeping mats and gourds.The Hamar of Southwest Ethiopia are semi-nomadic pastoralists whose whole way

An elaborate hairstyle of a young Hamar man nears completion by his friend; The Hamar of Southwest Ethiopia are semi-nomadic pastoralists whose whole way of life is based on the needs of their stock

A Hamar woman is left with bloody wheals, which were inflicted during a Hamar Jumping of the Bull ceremony when female friends

During a Jumping of the Bull ceremony.; The semi-nomadic Hamar of Southwest Ethiopia embrace an age-grade system that includes several rites of passage for young men

A Karo man with braided hair plays a traditional stringed instrument beside the Omo River near Duss. Young men settle disputes by fighting with hippo hide whips

A Dassanech man in full tribal regalia participates in a dance during a month-long ceremony. He wears a cheetah skin draped on his backs and a black ostrich-feather headdress

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Southwest Ethiopia, a land of vibrant cultures and breathtaking landscapes along the Omo River. Here, traditions are preserved and celebrated by diverse tribes like the Mursi, Dassanech, Kwegu, and Karo. In this captivating region, a Mursi woman captivates with her striking appearance adorned with a large clay lip plate, and is an emblem of beauty and cultural significance that has been passed down through generations. Amidst the enchanting scenery, two Mursi men engage in a spirited game while showcasing their unique singular hairstyles. Each hairstyle tells a story of individuality within their community. A Dassanech man catches our attention with his shock of hair standing tall against the backdrop of Southwest Ethiopia's natural wonders. His distinctive look reflects his tribe's rich heritage and connection to the land. Witnessing traditional rituals is awe-inspiring as we observe a Mursi man smearing his body with a mixture of local ingredients. This act symbolizes purification and spiritual connection to nature—a testament to their deep-rooted beliefs. As we venture further into this captivating region near the Omo River, we encounter a young Kwegu girl adorned with wild Desert Rose flowers—a delicate crown that celebrates her innocence amidst this ancient landscape. Nearby lies a Karo homestead where artistry thrives on every corner. The Karo people excel in body art—meticulously painting intricate patterns on their bodies using natural pigments—an expression of identity intertwined with artistic brilliance. The early morning unveils another fascinating sight—the extensive scarification adorning the skin of a Dassanech man. These scars represent bravery and endurance—a visual language telling stories only understood by those who share this remarkable culture. Peering through the small entrance to her mother's dwelling stands an adorable young Mursi girl—an embodiment of resilience inherited from generations before her. She carries hope for preserving age-old customs in an ever-changing world.