12+
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Our Trips
Tribes Of Omo Valley
Journey into Ethiopia’s southern frontier, where time stands still and ancient cultures thrive untouched. This immersive cultural expedition introduces you to the vibrant tribal life of the Omo Valley, one of Africa’s most culturally diverse regions, rich in tradition, ritual, and striking visual identity.
Discover Africa’s living museum of tribes in the Omo Valley, where centuries-old traditions shape everyday life.
- Tribal Encounters
- Authentic Ceremonies
- Unique Body Art
- Dugout River Crossings
- Cultural Photography
- Remote Villages
Main Attractions
Explore the artistic traditions of the Karo, witness the dramatic bull-jumping rite of the Hamar, and meet the Mursi women famed for their lip plates. Visit colorful markets, observe scarification rituals, and experience nomadic lifestyles along the Omo River. From the Dorze highland homes to the Daasanach of Lake Turkana, every stop reveals a new cultural expression.
01
Mursi
Famed for their striking lip plates and fierce stick duels, the Mursi people are one of the valley’s most iconic tribes. Women insert elaborate clay disks in their lower lips as symbols of strength and beauty, a tradition begun in adolescence. Men participate in ceremonial combat using long wooden poles, a test of endurance and pride.
02
Hamar
Among the most visually stunning of the Omo tribes, the Hamar women wear thick ochre-coated braids and layered beadwork. Their bull-jumping ritual, a male rite of passage, is a dramatic event where the initiate runs across the backs of bulls. Women actively take part too, enduring ceremonial lashings to show loyalty—a stark but powerful cultural moment.
03
Karo
With their detailed body painting using natural chalk and minerals, the Karo express identity through art. They practice scarification to mark achievements and beautify the body. Once pastoralists, they’ve turned to farming and river fishing, developing a unique river culture along the Omo’s fertile banks.
04
Suri
The Suri are known for their bold lip plates, symbolic scarification, and fierce stick fighting. Young men engage in these fights to demonstrate bravery, while women manage farms and earn income. The tribe is organized into age groups, each with defined roles in community leadership and tradition.
05
Nyangatom
Living in the far southwest, the Nyangatom maintain warrior traditions marked by ritual scarring and goat sacrifices. Their social hierarchy is reflected in jewelry, particularly the bead necklaces passed from father to daughter. Their dual lifestyle—agriculture along the river and herding inland—makes them a culturally dynamic group.
06
Bodi
Nomadic and cattle-centered, the Bodi’s most unique tradition is their annual fattening ceremony. Young men isolate for months to consume rich diets and gain extreme weight in pursuit of local fame and attractiveness. Scarification and milk-blood mixtures are also part of their daily and ceremonial life.
07
Daasanach
Known as the “People of the Delta,” the Daasanach have creatively adapted to a shifting climate. Their jewelry—often crafted from recycled materials like SIM cards and bottle caps—has become a signature style. Their lifestyle revolves around seasonal agriculture and herding near Lake Turkana.
08
Banna
Living in circular villages with livestock at the center, the Banna people place deep importance on nature, ancestral spirits, and traditional aesthetics. Hair styling, clay coloring, and feather ornamentation mark social status. Their ceremonies honor spiritual connections to trees, rocks, and the land itself.
09
Dorze
High in the lush hills, the Dorze are master weavers and builders of towering beehive-shaped homes made of bamboo and thatch. Their homes can last decades and be relocated as the bamboo base wears down. Though not part of the lower Omo tribes, they offer a glimpse into the highland cultures of southern Ethiopia.
