Hamar
The Hamar people are pastoralists, who have a veneration for cattle. They breed cows, goats and sheep. The women grow crops like sorghum, beans, maize and pumpkin. They are also responsible for collecting water, cooking, and looking after the household and children. Kids start hearding the goats from around age eight. The young men of the village work the crops and defend the herds. The adult men herd the cattle, plough with the oxen and raise beehives in acacia trees. |
Dassanech
The Dassanech people live around the Omo delta, where it enters lake Turkana. Their name means people of the delta. They practice flood retreat cultivation, pastoralism and fishing. The lands of the Dassanech are semi arid. As for most of the tribes of the Omo valley, cattle is important to the lives of the Dassanech. Also meat, milk, leather for clothing, houses and mattresses provide status, and form the bride wealth that allows a man to marry. |
Arba Minch Crocodile Market
On the north-eastern shore of lake Chamo, there is a stretch of reed lined sand flats where large numbers of crocodiles sun themselves. This is rather misleadingly named the crocodile market. The market is accessible by boat. |
Here you have a chance to see not only the largest Nile crocodiles of Africa, but also over twenty species of aquatic birds. The African fish eagle, the African marsh harrier, the great white pelican, the goliath heron, the spur winged plover, the marabu stork, the spoon billed stork and many more. Also groups of hippos can be seen.
|
Netch Sar plains
East of the lakes are the open Netch Sar plains: the best area for terrestrial game viewing. You may see Burchells zebra, with an estimated population of 300, greater and |
lesser kudu, warthogs, grant gazelle and swayenes heart beast. This is also one of the best places in Ethiopia to see large grassland birds such as Abyssinian ground hornbill, secretary bird and the massive kori bustard
|
Dorze
The Dorze people are a small ethnic group whose highland territory is only 30 km square, established 500 years ago. They are known for their unique elephant shaped houses, which are entirely made of bamboo. The houses are 15 m high and can endure over 40 years. You can see local activities like the preparation of false banana - a staple food of the Dorze people-, making of potteries, and weaving. And visit the market on tuesdays and thursdays. |
Mursi
The Mursi people live in an almost inaccessible area between the Mago and Omo river. They are predominantly pastoral but they also engage in limited agriculture. The Mursi measure wealth by the number of cattle they own and they name themselves after the colour of their favourite cattle. The Mursi are considered one of the wealthiest tribes in the area, as they own large numbers of cattle. |
Every significant social relationship, most notably marriage, is marked and validated by the exchange of cattle. The dowry is usually 30 to 40 cows, and, nowadays, a gun. This bride wealth is given to the father of the bride by the grooms family. For this reason, girls are seen as a blessing, because they will eventually contribute to their fathers wealth. Boys are also important as they will be responsible for looking after the animals.
|
Kara
The Kara people live on the east bank of the lower Omo river. They are famous for their body painting. Painting is done during the harvesting time, on local events and ceremonies, and just for decoration and beauty. |
The Kara own small numbers of cattle, and goats are the main livestock. Nowadays they grow sorghum, maize and other crops. The Kara use wooden spears to catch fish in the Omo river. In their language the word kara means fish eaters.
|
Arbore
The Arbore people are the southern neighbors of the Tsemay. They live in the hot plains north of Chew Bahir and are predominantly pastoralists. Their livestock has high economic and social value. They keep cattle, sheep and goats. Milking cows, calves, sheep and goats are kept in the vicinity of the settlement. The rest of the livestock moves from place to place in temporary camps. In time of drought the Arbore temporarily move their cattle to |
the neighboring Tsemay and Borena, with hom they have peaceful and cooperative relations.
The Arbore practice a slush and burn shifting cultivation method of agriculture, which is dependent upon the flooding of Woito river and the seasonal rains. For every harvesting season elected elders, known as Murra, assess the suitable land for agriculture and distribute it among the people, giving priority to the poor, orphans and widows. |