SOUTHERN OMO TRIBE AND HISTORIC ROUTE

Rested and refreshed by your night in Addis, you will depart the hotel to fly to Arba Minch, the largest town in southern Ethiopia, set amongst lush green hills near Lakes Abaya and Chamo. Arba Minch is named for the numerous local springs that produce a groundwater forest. In Amharic, Arbaminch means “forty springs.” The town itself is divided into two distinct settlements. Buses and taxis connect Shecha (on higher ground) and downtown Sikela. Shecha is the uptown administrative center. Just two and a half miles away is Sikela, home to the commercial, industrial, and downtown residential areas. On the eastern side of Sikela lies the gate to Nechisar National Park, which covers the isthmus between Lake Abaya to the north and Lake Chamo to the south. Up on arrival you will drive to Chencha Village, home of the Dorze people. Renowned for their cotton weaving, called Shammas and their distinctive house- towering beehive shaped structures made from woven thatch. Overnight at Paradise Lodge /similar. www.paradiselodgeethiopia.com

In the morning, you will enjoy a one-hour boat ride on the lake to Azo Gebeya, the so-called “crocodile market” – which is not a market at all, but a gathering place for crocodiles and pelican and one of the best features of the park. The attraction of the boat trip includes viewing of hippos and crocodiles from a very close range. Later, you will set off to Jinka en route Konso, the Konso region declared a UNESCO World Heritage site for its rich culture. The Konso people live in a land of low terraced hills. They are reputed to be one of hard working groups in the country. Their elaborately terraced hillside grows some of the county’s best coffee. They have an articulate tradition and erect peculiar totems on the grave of their deceased. After your visit in Konso you will continue to Jinka

Take a day excursion to Mago National Park to visit the Mursi village. The Mursi are one of the most original ethnic groups. They live in very low huts made of straw leaves. The women like to wear terra cotta on their enormously stretched lower lips and ear lobes. The men are famous for their hairstyles.
The tribe is famed for their fierce warrior disposition and wildly decorative appearance, with large circular clay labrets that the women wear in the lower lip. The larger the lip plate, the greater the woman’s value when she is married. She removes her plate for eating and sleeping. We may see some women, especially elder women, without their lip plates. They are easily distinguished by how their long, distended lips hang down from their mouths. Visit and drive to Turmi.

After having breakfast you will take an excursion to Omoratte where you will have cultural experience with the Geleb/ Dassenech people inhabitants of lower Omo River Valley. In the afternoon, you will venture to Murulle to visit the Karo people, who reside along the banks of the Lower Omo River. The Karo incorporate rich cultural symbolism into their rituals and use ornate body art, intricate headdress, and body scarification to emphasize beauty and status within their community this small but lively tribe numbers under 1,000, but they are the main non-nomadic agriculturalist group in the Lower Omo Valley.

The Karo are differentiated from neighboring tribes by placing higher emphasis on body and face painting. They paint themselves daily with colored ochre, white chalk, yellow mineral rock, charcoal, and pulverized iron ore – all resources found in this area. Karo body painting is a deep aspect of their culture; they are communicating as well as decorating. The experience of visiting the people of this incredibly rich, proud, yet adapting culture gives amazing insight into Ethiopia’s indigenous peoples. Visit and proceed to your hotel.

Today before you depart to Jinka, you will visit the Hammer peoples, they are one of the most beautiful and dignified people in the Omo basin. The women wear elegant leather skirts festooned with tiny pearls. Personal appearance is important to the Hammer, and they are striking indeed: their features and adornments include high cheekbones, elaborate beads and leather, elaborate hairstyles and thick copper necklaces. Afterwards, drive back to Jinka to catch your flight back to Addis Ababa.

This day after having breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home.