Tizita Ethiopian Hikes

The Lower Omo River in south west Ethiopia is home to eight different tribes with a population of about 200,000. They have lived there for centuries. For example, the Hamar people are a community in the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples Region. As pastoralists, the community places a high value on cattle. Unique to the Hamar people is the bull jumping ceremony, which is an initiation ceremony to mark the transition into manhood. The young man  must jump over a line of 10 to 30 bulls without falling. If successful, he will join the ranks of the Maza (other men who have been initiated). As a part of the ceremony, Hamar women blow horns and shout taunts to the Maza men who whip them. The women regard the scars as a proof of devotion to their husbands. [This can be a bit distressing to watch if you are not warned.]

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The Dorze people is another tribe that lives in the Omo Valley. They are primarily weavers of cotton. Their beehive huts are made of natural materials, including - of course - woven bamboo and ensete (false bananas). Huts are at least two stories tall and last up to 80 years, and gets shorter over time as the bottom of the huts disappear from termites. The Dorze people also make a killer home-brew.

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We can help you to visit these communities and ensure that your visit is respectful to the tribes. On the way, stop off at Lake Awassa in the Great Rift Valley and try to spot some the monster crocodiles (and hippopotamuses) and bird life of Lake Chamo in Arba Minch.