OMO VALLEY
"A Living Museum of Humanity’s Earliest Ways"
“I remember myself at 8 years old, wandering through my grandfather’s library. Among the many books, one in particular caught my attention—a photo book filled with images of cultures from around the world. I was completely captivated by a single photograph: a bold woman with a shaved head, wearing a vibrant necklace adorned with pearls, and a large rounded plate inserted in her lower lip.
That moment sparked something deep inside me. A curiosity was born—an intense desire to explore the world and connect with people from distant, unfamiliar places. Photography became the tool that made that dream possible. It gave me a way to travel, to understand, and to tell stories through the people I met.
Thirty-two years later, I found myself in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, standing face to face with some of the world’s oldest surviving tribes—communities that still live today as they did centuries ago. It felt like closing a circle, returning to that image that once stirred my imagination, but this time, living it in real life. “
MURSI TRIBE
“The Mursi tribe is often considered one of the most dangerous tribes in the world. When I arranged my trip with a local guide, Mieraf, my only request was clear: I wanted to visit remote tribes—places that tourists rarely reach. And he delivered.
We drove for three hours through the Omo Valley, then another two hours along a rough dirt road, deep into the far southwest corner of Ethiopia, near the Kenyan border, in the valley of the River Omo. This remote land, rich in history, is where paleontologists have uncovered some of the oldest human remains ever found.“
“Eventually, we arrived at a clearing where we discovered what appeared to be their village—small huts made of branches and bushes. But something was off. It was completely abandoned, with baboons roaming through the remains.
So we continued, following the river. What happened next left me speechless. Emerging from the thick bushes, three tall men appeared—almost naked, carrying rifles slung across their backs, followed by a herd of cattle. Our guide approached them to greet them and explain our presence. We soon followed, walking alongside them. “
“It turned out they had been forced to relocate due to a conflict with another tribe. Their chief, Olijera, welcomed us and gave us permission to photograph. It was an intense moment of connection—raw, real, and unforgettable. “
DASSANECH TRIBE
“In the dust of the Omo, the Dassanech thrive—tough, proud, and beautifully resourceful.“
KARO TRIBE
“The Karo tribe is the smallest ethnic group in Ethiopia, yet their cultural identity is among the most striking. We visited their village nestled along the banks of the Omo River, where life flows with the rhythm of the land.
What makes the Karo truly stand out is their extraordinary tradition of body and face painting. Using white chalk, they create intricate patterns—dots, lines, and swirls—that turn their bodies into living canvases, each design carrying meaning, beauty, and pride.
We spent an entire day with them, walking through their village, learning about their way of life, and capturing portraits of some truly remarkable individuals. There was a calmness in their presence, a quiet confidence, and a grace that came through the lens in a powerful way.“
ARBORE TRIBE
“The Arbore tribe of Ethiopia, named after the word “Ar” meaning “bull,” honors the deep bond they share with cattle.
Arbore women are known for their beauty and vibrant beadwork.“
HAMER TRIBE
“During our final days in the Omo Valley, we were fortunate enough to witness a truly unique and powerful ceremony. In the Hamer tribe, when a boy is ready to become a man and start his own family, he must go through a rite of passage known as the bull-jumping ceremony.
After a two-hour hike, we approached a hilltop where, from a distance, we heard singing. The voices belonged to the women of the village—singing, dancing, and waiting in anticipation for the whippers and the young boy. For most of the world, this ritual is unheard of: the women are willingly whipped as a display of loyalty and support to the bull jumper. What struck me most was their pride—they were excited, even arguing over who would be whipped first. The scars they carry are not seen as wounds but as symbols of love, strength, and solidarity.“
“After this intense and emotional part of the ceremony, we were invited into their huts to rest. At sunrise, the final stage began. The atmosphere was electric. The young boy—nervous, clearly carrying the weight of this defining moment—began to prepare.
The men gathered the bulls, lining them up side by side. Around them, women danced and sang in a circle, their voices rising with the rhythm of the moment. Then, in a flurry of bells and horns, the boy ran forward and leapt onto the backs of the bulls—sprinting across them four times without falling.“
“He had passed the test. Cheers erupted, drums beat louder, and the energy surged through the village. He was now a man in the eyes of his people—ready for the next great step in his life.“
“My journey through Ethiopia was nothing short of extraordinary. It’s difficult to put into words the depth of emotion and connection I felt in this remote corner of the world. From the moment we arrived in the Omo Valley, I was struck not only by the beauty of the land, but by the incredible hospitality of its people.
Despite language barriers and cultural differences, the tribes welcomed us with open hearts and open homes. There was no hesitation—only curiosity, pride, and a willingness to share. Their way of life, rooted in centuries-old traditions, felt like stepping into a living museum of human history. And yet, it was not the exoticness of their customs that touched me most—it was their humanity.
Each tribe had its own identity, its own rhythm. The Mursi, proud and resilient. The Karo, graceful and artistic. The Hamer, vibrant and spirited. Their ceremonies were powerful, their daily lives rich with meaning, and their sense of community deeply inspiring.
What I’ll remember most is not just the images I captured, but the quiet moments in between—the laughter shared over a cup of local coffee, the playful curiosity of children, the strength of the women, the wisdom in the eyes of the elders. Ethiopia gave me far more than I expected. It reminded me why I first picked up a camera: to connect, to learn, and to honor the beauty of the human spirit..“