Faces Of Omo Valley

Photographing the tribes of Ethiopia's Omo Valley

NOTE: This photoblog includes images that contain culturally appropriate nudity.

Suri Tribe - Omo Valley, Ethiopia

A journey to Ethiopia is like stepping into a living museum—where history, culture, and nature come together in a breathtaking, untamed landscape. From the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela to the highlands of the Simien Mountains, Ethiopia offers travelers a rare blend of ancient civilizations and vibrant traditions.

But for those seeking something truly unique, a trip to the Omo Valley in the south is an unforgettable experience—raw, remote, and culturally rich, it is one of the last places on Earth where indigenous communities live largely as they have for centuries.

In 2024, Daniel Kordan and I planned a trip to explore Ethiopia, with a focus on documenting the people and culture. From this experienmce, we created a photo tour to take small groups of people on a unique journey, spending time with beautoful people and documenting through photography. See details for our next trip to Omo Valley. Visiting Ethiopia, and especially the Omo Valley, isn’t just travel—it’s immersion into humanity’s oldest stories, told through scarred skin, painted faces, dance, and ritual. It’s humbling, beautiful, and unforgettable.

If you're looking for a destination that challenges your perspective and stirs your soul, Ethiopia—and the Omo Valley in particular—awaits.

Tribes of Omo Valley

There are over a dozen unique tribes in this region of southern Ethiopia, each having distinct cultural practices, languages and traditions. We spent time with 8 tribes, capturing their natural beauty and diversity.

Suri Tribe

Deep in the lush and rugged highlands of southwestern Ethiopia lives the Suri tribe, also known as the Surma—a proud, resilient people renowned for their striking body art, ceremonial stick fighting, and bold expressions of identity. The Suri live in one of Africa’s most remote regions - it takes around a day to reach this tribe and there is no accommodation other than camping in tents.

Among the Suri, face and body painting is not just decoration—it’s a powerful form of self-expression. Using natural pigments like white clay, red ochre, yellow rock, and charcoal, men and women paint intricate patterns on their skin, inspired by nature, emotion, and imagination. Designs change daily and vary by occasion—whether for rituals, courtship, or celebration.

One of the most iconic Suri traditions is the Donga, a ceremonial stick-fighting competition where young men battle with long wooden staffs. These intense duels are both physical trials and public performances, showcasing bravery, skill, and endurance.

Suri women are also known for wearing large lip plates, inserted into the lower lip after adolescence. Though the practice is declining among younger generations, it remains a powerful symbol of feminine strength, cultural pride, and beauty.

Whilst photographing Suri tribe, we stayed in tents adjacent to the small villages. There are no hotels or restaurants in the area, so camping is essential. The people of Suri are probably the friendliest of all in Omo Valley, constant curiosity mixed with wamrth and a desire to help in any way they can.

Children with their painted faces. In Suri Tribe, the tradition of painting faces is deeply rooted in culture, spirituality and personal expression.

A woman applies natural pigments as part of face painting - white clay, yellow rocks, ochre soil and black ash are traditionally used as paints.

The lines, geometric patterns and designs inspired by nature can convey group identity, individual creativity or someone's mood.

The face painting is often accompanied by floral decorations using seasonal wild flowers

In Suri Tribe, the practice of face painting goes beyond decorations and has deep meaning behind it.

A young girl in Suri Tribe

Painted faces - Suri Tribe, Ethiopia

Mother and child - Suri Tribe.

Men will also paint their bodies for the traditional stick fighting competitions - Donga. It is seen a rite of passage amongst men in the tribe, with adolescents having the opportunity to demonstrate their strength and bravery. The full body painting is used to intimidate the opponent. This is one of my favourite images - a young boy wants to join the men and have his body painted for the donga fighting.

A beautiful Suri woman with some facial scarification. In many tribes in Imo Valley, this process is a mix of tradition and aesthetics, not dissimilar to tattoos in other cultures.

An elderly woman with a lip plate. Lip plates are worn by some women in Suri and Mursi tribes. They are considered a symbol of beauty and status, with larger plates being a mark of greater maturity, strength and identity within the tribe. Often the process starts at the age of 1516 years and takes years of increasing the size of the plat to reach the larger size seen here. At one time it was thought women wore the lip plates to deter slave traders, but this has been refuted. More recently, many women see it as a way of preserving their culture in the face of growing westernisation.

A girl washes the paint from her face in the nearby river.

A young boy in the nearby town of Surma. Only a short drive from the villages, it is a relatively small town with very few amenities. We went for a walk for street photography.

A young girl shaves her friends hair - this practice is extremely common amongst tribes in Imo Valley and razor blades were a welcome gift at almost every village.

Hamar Tribe:

Where dusty plains meet the Omo River basin, the Hamar tribe stands out as one of the most vibrant and tradition-rich communities in Africa.

The Hamar are semi-nomadic agro-pastoralists, raising cattle, goats, and growing crops like sorghum. Cattle and goats are not just a food source but are central to social status, marriage arrangements, and spiritual practices.

One of the most distinctive features of Hamar women is their elaborate hairstyles, created by twisting the hair into small braids and coating it with a red ochre and butter mixture. This not only symbolizes femininity, fertility, and status, but also reflects centuries-old beauty traditions passed from mother to daughter.

At the heart of Hamar culture is the Ukuli Bula, or bull-jumping rite of passage.

Hamar Tribe is located not far from the town of Turmi, which has a relatively nice lodge. For purpose of photography, we again camped in the village with the tribe, however it would be possible to visit Hamar, Kara and Nyangatom tribes from Turmi.

The women of Hamar Tribe are strikingly beautiful and often have distinctive red ochre clay in their hair. The natural red prigment is often mixed with butter or animal fat and then applied to thin braids. It is done largely for status and aesthetic purposes, and to convey ethnic identity.

The curiosity of children towards mobile phones poses a difficult ethical question. On one hand it exposes them to outside influences that threaten their traditional way of life. On the other hand it provides opportunity and education about the world they live in. I am personally conflicted and can see the pros/cons of both arguments.

In certain situations, the body and clothing is also covered in the ochre mixture. This signifies marital status - in this case a women who has recently been married has her body covered in red ochre clay.

Goats are an integral part of life in Omo Valley. They are a source of food (meat and milk), clothing and also status and currency. Marriage dowries are usually calculated based on number of goats.

Homes in Hamar tribe are shared with family

The traditional bull jumping ceremonies are popular for visitors to Hamar Tribes. It is a difficult balance between understanding cultures which are different to our own. During the ceremony, a young man will prove his "coming of age" by jumping over a bull. Men in the family will paint their faces and the women will allow the men to whip them with thin sticks. The whipping causes quite deep cuts and scars and I would certainly warn that this experience is not for everyone.

A man has his face painted for the bull jumping ceremony.

A women with fresh cuts as part of the ceremony.

The cuts take quite some time to heal.

Kara Tribe:

The location of Kara Village is quite stunning - perched above a large sweeping bend in the Omo River. The tribe is is one of the smallest yet most visually striking tribes in the region - known for their elaborate body painting, cultural pride, and rich storytelling.

With a population estimated at just 1,000–2,000 people, the Kara are primarily agro-pastoralists, relying on flood-retreat agriculture, fishing, and livestock herding. The fertile riverbanks allow them to grow crops like sorghum and maize, while also supporting cattle and goats.

Kara traditions are proudly displayed and passed down through generations, including the beaded jewelry, feathered headdresses and face paint designs.

Kara Tribe is situated above a picturesque bend in the Omo River.

Women will wear goat skin decorated with cowrie shells.

Bright coloured beads and face painting is part of their traditional decoration.

Nyangatom Tribe:

Located in an arid region of Omo Valley, close to the border with South Sudan, the Nyangatom are semi-nomadic pastoralists, constantly moving in search of water and grazing land for their cattle, goats, and sheep. Their mobility is key to survival in the harsh, dry terrain of the Lower Omo and surrounding plains.

Nyangatom people are instantly recognizable by their vibrant body decorations and elaborate accessories. Both men and women wear layered bead necklaces, colorful bracelets, and metal ornaments, often combined with scarification patterns that signify bravery, beauty, or social status.

In villages they will commonly have distinct architecture with food storage huts on stilts to protect their hrvested crops from water damage and livestock.

Traditional food storage huts, elevated off the ground to protect the harvest from water and livestock

There was an abandoned school close to the village we visited. Sadly it is a very strong reminder of the lack of access to education for these kids.

Arbore Tribe:

Located near the shores of Lake Chew Bahir, the Arbore tribe is a peaceful and culturally rich community known for its distinctive black garments, joyful ceremonies, and deep sense of unity. They are one of the largest tribes in Omo Valley, with a population estimated around 11,000.

Arbore women are recognized by their elegant black cloth wraps and shaved or closely cropped hair, adorned with layers of colorful bead necklaces and metal ornaments. The minimalist style is intentional and symbolic—expressing purity, order, and respect for tradition.

The Arbore are agro-pastoralists, raising livestock and cultivating crops such as sorghum and maize. Their livelihood depends on the seasonal flooding of nearby rivers.

An Arbore girl with traditional black cloth, beads and metal jewellery.

The friendliest and most photogenic children. Such a joy to work with :)

Hand made jewellery

Dassanech Tribe:

At the southernmost edge of Omo Valley near the border with Kenya, where the Omo River flows into Lake Turkana, lives the Dassanech tribe—a semi-nomadic people known for their resilience, adaptability, and striking appearance.

Living in one of the hottest, driest regions of the Omo Valley, the Dassanech are agro-pastoralists who raise cattle and cultivate crops like sorghum and maize near the riverbanks. When droughts strike or floods disrupt crops, they shift to fishing, hunting, or crafting—a flexible survival strategy that speaks to their resourcefulness and grit. They have created an industry of drying fish and exporting to other countries in Africa.

A mother and her child suffering from malaria. There is a moderate risk of malaria in areas of Omo Valley and left untreated it is a serious medical condition. It is advisable to discuss malaria prevention with your doctor prior to travel to Ethiopia.

Bodi Tribe:

Tucked away in the lush grasslands along the Omo River, the Bodi tribe—also known as the Me'en—are a proud and distinctive people known for their strong physique, rich cattle culture, and one of the most remarkable ceremonies in Africa.

The Bodi are cattle herders and farmers, and their lives revolve around their livestock. Cattle are not just economic assets—they are symbols of identity, beauty, and spiritual power. Milk and cow’s blood are central to the Bodi diet, especially among men preparing for the Ka’el fattening ceremony. Held once a year, young men enter a competition to become the “fattened champion” of their clan. Over several months, contestants live in isolation and consume a special diet of cow’s blood and milk, aiming to gain as much body fat as possible. On the day of the ceremony, they emerge adorned in clay and body paint, and the largest, roundest man is celebrated as a hero—winning fame, respect, and symbolic strength for his family.

Bodi people decorate themselves with scarification, beads, and clay body paint, especially during ceremonies and rites of passage. Men often go bare-chested and wear simple wraps, while women adorn themselves with jewellery made from shells, metal, and colorful beads.

Ash and ochre face paint.

Young boys use ash to decorate their bodies and faces.

Body people have a strong connection to their cattle. The animals will live freely within the village.

Body scarification is common in a number of tribes. The human body becomes a canvas for expressing identity, beauty, bravery, and belonging, similar to tattoos in other cultures. Unlike tattoos, which use ink, scarification involves cutting or branding the skin to create raised scars in symbolic patterns or shapes.

Travel To Ethiopia

Ethiopia is situated on the horn of Africa and is the 2nd most most populated country on the continent, after Nigeria. It has a long and fascinating history, in fact its is one of the oldest countries in the world, previously going by the name Abyssinia.

Getting to Ethiopia is relatively easy, with many direct flights into the capital Addis Ababa each day. Whilst there are multiple international airlines, Ethiopian Airlines will apply significant discounts to any internal domestic flighst if your inbound international flight is with the airline. Most passport holders can obtain a 30 day tourist visa on arrival, which costs USD150 - you will need to have the exact amount in new US or EURO bank notes. Check before travel to ensure your passport does not require a pre-arranged visa.

Addis itself is a busy city with a population of almost 3million. Photographically there is not a lot to do in Addis Ababa and most people will travel onwards to places like Simien Mountains, Danakil Depression or Lalibela in the North or Omo Valley in the South. At the time of writing this blog, the situation in the North is a little unstable and it is advised to check for safety and travel warnings. The South of Ethiopia, particularly Omo Valley is much safer for travel and has a more established tourism industry.

There are some areas of Omo Valley that have moderate malaria levels and it is strongly advised to get medical advise about malaria prevention prior to travelling to Ethiopia. Personally, I take anti-malaria tablets (malarone), use a lot of insect repellant and wear long sleeves.

The currency is the Ethiopian Birr. The majority of places wont have credit card facilities so it is advised to exchange or withdraw local currency to buy souveniers, gifts for tribes, food etc.

Something to be aware of is that Ethiopia operates on a different calendar with 13 months. This can at times create confusion when booking and communicating with local suppliers. Always be sure to double check dates and times for arrivals and travel dates.

Omo Valley

Omo Valley is in the South of Ethiopia and most commonly accessed via domestic airports such as Jinka and Mizan. The region is home to more than a dozen tribes, who have remained somewhat isolated from Western culture. This has also led to curiosity and an increase in tourism. Whilst it is logistically possible to travel independently around Ethiopia, it is strongly advised to use local guides. For photography, this is especially true to ensure access and communication with the tribes. We operate guided photography tours to Omo Valley with a fantastic local partner and this creates the mosytconvenient way to visit places like Omo Valley .

Accomodation in Ethiopia is relatively basic. There are hotels in some regional towns, including Jinka and Turmi. In other places such as Surma, to visit Suri tribe, travellers will stay in tents.

Food is also quite basic in Omo Valley. There are some cafes and restaurants at the hotels. For the most part, meals consist of bread, salad, pasta, vegetables. Meat is less common.

Photography in Ethiopia

Omo Valley provides an almost unmatched opportunity for portrait photography of traditional tribes. But capturing these moments requires sensitivity, respect, and awareness of local customs. There is increasing influences from outside cultures that threatens a way of life that has remained essentially unchanged for generations.

• Always ask permission before photographing people, especially in tribal areas like the Omo Valley. Many communities consider photos invasive or spiritual.

• Be prepared to offer a small payment in return for posed portraits—this is common and expected.

• Engage with your subjects—build trust before taking the shot. Smiles go further than lenses.

• Drone photography is not allowed in Ethiopia and drones will likely be confiscated at the airport on arrival.

During this trip, we took a lot of photos using natural light. We also created a small portable studio in each village, using a backdrop, off camera flash and reflector. It worked extremely well and created some dynamic portrait images.

Ethiopia Photography Tour 2025 - Click for more information.

Behind The Scenes