The Amazing South Omo Valley: Ethiopia's land of warriors, hunters and nomads

The South Omo Valley is one of the most ethnically diverse parts of Africa. Outside influences, including tourism and development, are changing the distinctive age-old lifestyles of the people, but for now their daily existence and ways of life are still ruled by traditions. Among the 86 ethnic groups of Ethiopia, 16 of them can be found in south omo zone, an area that is known for its various indigenous groups and cultural heterogeneity. this region is witnessing a rise of tourists that travel in groups or autonomously, primarily to visit the pastoral communities in the region.Most of the people are pastoral community living in the south omo valley, their main livelihood depends on cattle rearing, combined with growing maize and sorghum for daily consumption, and some also do beekeeping as well as fishing. They are also popular research subjects of anthropologists and documentary makers. The circulation of images of their pastoral lifestyle, clothing and housing has made them an iconic example of African herdsman cultures. Representations of the people are often exotic and also erotic, attracting more tourists to flock to the region to see this remnant of an "unspoiled past" with their own eyes and cameras. since several decades, large pockets of their land have been grabbed for irrigation schemes, commercial farms and the creation of nature parks. while the Ethiopian constitution guarantees their right to consultation, and is still under high pressure for mega infrastructural projects. Their pastoral life is heavily affected by the growing scarcity of land, and this has augmented their dependence on outsiders, such as tourists, NGOs and others. However their relationship to these outsiders remains ambivalent. The day-to-day life of the South Omo ethnic groups and tribes is truly the heart and soul of the region. Notable traditional ceremonies include 'Ukuli', Bull Jumping by Hamer and Banna men as a rite of passage ceremony, 'Keal' a competition among the men of various Bodi villages to see who can become fattest by consuming the most blood and milk over three months, and 'Donga', the Mursi ritual stick fight competition during which they prove their fearlessness and courage. *****A few more highlights from The Amazing South Omo Valley:The women of Mursi are known for making and wearing lip plates which are traditionally worn as a symbol of beauty and sexual maturity. Before they reach the age of marriage, girls choose whether or not to stretch their bottom lip, a gradual and painful process that can take up to a year using graduated plates made from clay or wood.The Dassanech, traditionally pastoralists and subsistence farmers, are also famous as hunters of the dangerous predator crocodile. When there is drought on the land, some of the strongest men risk their lives using sharp eight-foot long harpoons in the late night out on Lake Turkana to catch crocodile for food.If an Arbore man dies before he is married, his family may bring in a wife in his name to live with them in memory of their son. When they bring her, they perform all the marriage rituals including bride wealth payment. Later, if she has a child, it is named after that son. In addition to maize, teff, cardamom and root vegetables, the two main Aari crops are rubi (sorghum) and buna (coffee). They are the oldest, most traditional crops of the region and both are widely used ritually in ceremonies associated with marriage, death, offerings to deities and ancestors, harvest rituals and reconciliations and procedures *****Addisalem Habtamu, a young museum curator, heritage conservator and documentation specialist at the South Omo Research Center (SORC) in Jinka, Ethiopia, has written this small book to give arm-chair travelers a window into this exceptional world. Or come to southwestern Ethiopia and ask Addis to organize an uncommon tour for you! For questions about the book and tours, please write: addisinsouthomo@gmail.com or WhatsApp +251916576872 Thanks