Ethiopian Peoples of the Lower Omo Valley have very unique cultures. As we traveled further south toward the Kenyan/Sudan border, the weather became warmer and the people wore fewer articles of clothing. Our first encounter with these peoples, was with the Mursi, a very proud and, sometimes hostile people. Because of their possible aggression (due to abuse of alcohol early in the day and the fact that almost everyone, carries an automatic assault rifle (Kalashnikov), we had to bring along an armed guard to visit the village. The strange thing is that the armed guard only had a single shot rifle to protect us.
John enjoyed our visit; but, I felt uncomfortable the whole time we were there. I didn't feel threatened. But, the villagers were definitely only in this village, all dressed up for us to see and for us to pay them money to take their pictures. And, some became beligerent if you did not take their picture or pay them enough money. I only took a few pictures and was ready to leave.
The Mursi are dedicated to raising livestock on their very dry lands. Although they have had to supplement their food sources by cultivating sorghum and corn and keeping bees. Hunting was once an important resource as the Mursi were the supplier of wild animal skins for other groups. This ceased when the region around the Mago River, the Mursi homeland, was declared a national park and wildlife reserve.
The distinctive trait of the Mursi, shared by other Surmic groups, is the discs worn in the lower lips and earlobes of their women. The plates are made from mud or wood. There are different sizes and shapes (circular and trapezoidal) and they may be decorated with cuts or incisions. Sometimes the centre is hollow, forming a large labial ring. Not all of the women have the discs. We were told that when a woman is widowed, she removes her labial disk and throws it away.
Pictures: 2 older Mursi women; 2 younger Mursi women; Ann and 4 Mursi women; Sammy, our guide and 5 Mursi men with their rifles and sticks
Very interesting post. I have seen a new distinctive culture through your eyes.
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