Cultural Safari around Omo Valley
From its earliest known inhabitants, Ethiopia has throughout the centuries attracted diverse peoples from all corners of Africa and the Middle East. This has produced one of the most colorful nation to be found anywhere in the world. With over eighty ethnic groups and having more than eighty different languages with over 200 dialects, make Ethiopia a unique and colorful cultural mosaic. Every ethnic group preserves its own unique, customs, traditions and costumes. They express the culture and tradition in many different ways in their day to day activities. For instance, how they construct their house, clothing, nutrition culture, marriage ceremony, dances and musical style, games, rites of passages, beliefs, handicrafts and ?etc. We notice and experience the difference of these beautiful and colorful people in all part of the country; however, we limit this page to spotlight on Southern people and cultures. This part of the country is home of many indigenous, diverse and fascinating peoples and cultures with over some 45 languages spoken by different ethnic origin. The Southern region is rich in culture and diverse indigenous ethnic groups.
The lower Omo is home to an astonishing mix of small, contrasting ethnic groups- the Bume, the Karo, the Galeb, the Bodi, the Mursi, the Surma, the Arbore, and the Hamer to name among the most fascinating people and culture, whom you will visit during the cultural safari in the lower Omo valley. Although lack of any material culture and artifacts common to more ?civilized? people, these ethnics find unique way in which to express their artistic fancy.
Hamar & Benna: - the Bull-Jumping people. Found in the far South West Omotic region, beyond Mount Buska live the Hamar and Benna people. These astounding and superstitious people were veiled in mystery for over half a century.
The Hamar and Benna, are two of the Omotic speakers of remote south west Ethiopia, with unique manifestations of traditional wisdom, the 'jumping of bulls'.
The purpose of this rite is two fold: while one is the passage from boyhood to manhood, the other is the courting occasion when both men and women adorn themselves to win a mate.
The men put an ochre bun on their skin and head and insert ostrich feather, while the women wear their hair in short tufts rolled in ochre mixed with fat.
The lower Omo is home to an astonishing mix of small, contrasting ethnic groups- the Bume, the Karo, the Galeb, the Bodi, the Mursi, the Surma, the Arbore, and the Hamer to name among the most fascinating people and culture, whom you will visit during the cultural safari in the lower Omo valley. Although lack of any material culture and artifacts common to more ?civilized? people, these ethnics find unique way in which to express their artistic fancy.
Hamar & Benna: - the Bull-Jumping people. Found in the far South West Omotic region, beyond Mount Buska live the Hamar and Benna people. These astounding and superstitious people were veiled in mystery for over half a century.
The Hamar and Benna, are two of the Omotic speakers of remote south west Ethiopia, with unique manifestations of traditional wisdom, the 'jumping of bulls'.
The purpose of this rite is two fold: while one is the passage from boyhood to manhood, the other is the courting occasion when both men and women adorn themselves to win a mate.
The men put an ochre bun on their skin and head and insert ostrich feather, while the women wear their hair in short tufts rolled in ochre mixed with fat.
