Passing through open grassy savannah like country, I was really surprised at the 40 km Chinese built road where we were able to travel along it at 100 km.
Soon it ran out just before the immigration control point at Omorate – 72 kms from Turmi and it was back to that fine clay like dust. As we were so close to the Kenyan border, we had to show our passports at the Immigration Controlling Post.
Across the Omo River by these 2 dugout canoes hollowed out from fig trees. Never seen one so crooked. This will soon change with the opening of a new bridge across the Omo River.
I had my own local 13 year old outgoing school boy Sisay who throughout the photo taking time with his excellent English, assisted me by getting generally 2 mothers and their babies together, ensuring that I had their faces in the sunlight and moving "unwanted" subjects out of the way ..... He asked if I wanted to be in the photo with one of the group. Gave him my camera and away he clicked like a pro. Asked Sisay what he wanted to be career wise .... an engineer. This country needs more locally trained engineer so I wish him well in his life's quest.
A group of four 12 and 13 year old girls wanted 50 birr / NZ$3.30 / US$2.45 for a group dance as we left the village. They also chanted "1, 2, 3, 4 for 10 birr" as we walked back to the river.
This was the last of the Omo Valley tribal visits. Somehow it felt at times like a factory tour. Not being critical at all, but generally we heard a little bit about each tribe, then the locals all lined up like a cattle auction..... choose me and take my photo. 5 birr was the going rate. For children it could be 2 or 3 birrs and they accepted coins whereas the adults did not like coins or thorn notes. Most of the mothers wanted 5 birrs for their baby as well. I suppose that this was one way for them to earn a few birrs. More often than not it was an expressionless facial and often not straight on to the camera that we got.
The encounter was all too brief. Just seeing the subsistence living style and how the different tribes are currently living was eye opening. I wonder how this will all change as more and more tourists descend to the Omo Valley with the road access to the area being made easier and more and more accommodation being built. It took us 2 days to drive here and then another 2 days to drive back to Addis. No doubt a local regional airport will be opened one day especially if oil or minerals are found.
HIGHLIGHTS Sun 21 Dec: Dassanech Tribe
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Konso, Ethiopia
Other Entries
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28HIGHLIGHTS Tues 16 Dec: Konso
Dec 165 days priorKonso, Ethiopiaphoto_camera106videocam 0comment 0 -
29South Omo Research Center, Jinka
Dec 174 days priorJinka, Ethiopiaphoto_camera40videocam 0comment 0 -
30Ari Tribe
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31Mursi Village Visit – NO CAMERAS
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32HIGHLIGHTS Wed 17 Dec: Jinka, Ari & Mursi Tribes
Dec 174 days priorMago National Park, Ethiopiaphoto_camera40videocam 0comment 0 -
33Mursi Village WITH Cameras
Dec 183 days priorMago National Park, Ethiopiaphoto_camera46videocam 0comment 0 -
34Cattle Market Key Afar
Dec 183 days priorKey Afar, Ethiopiaphoto_camera103videocam 1comment 0 -
35Key Afar Market
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36Mango – Hamer Traditional Tourist Camp Site
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37HIGHLIGHTS Thurs 18 Dec: Mursi, Key Afar, Cattle
Dec 183 days priorTurmi, Ethiopiaphoto_camera111videocam 0comment 0 -
38Karo Tribe, Kolcho Village
Dec 192 days priorKolcho, Omo Valley, Ethiopiaphoto_camera72videocam 0comment 0 -
39Hamar Tribe
Dec 192 days priorTurmi, Ethiopiaphoto_camera81videocam 2comment 0 -
40HIGHLIGHTS Fri 19 Dec: Karo Tribe, Hamar Tribe
Dec 192 days priorTurmi, Ethiopiaphoto_camera95videocam 0comment 0 -
41Dimeka Market
Dec 201 day priorDimeka, Ethiopiaphoto_camera130videocam 0comment 0 -
42Bull Jumping Ceremony
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43HIGHLIGHTS Sat 20 Dec: Market, Bull Jumping
Dec 201 day priorTurmi, Ethiopiaphoto_camera120videocam 19comment 0 -
44Dasanech Tribe
Dec 21earlier that dayOmarate, Ethiopiaphoto_camera116videocam 0comment 0 -
45HIGHLIGHTS Sun 21 Dec: Dassanech Tribe
Dec 21Konso, Ethiopiaphoto_camera82videocam 0comment 0 -
46Konso Sunrise
Dec 221 day laterKonso, Ethiopiaphoto_camera30videocam 0comment 0 -
47Camel Market
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48Borena Market
Dec 221 day laterYabēlo, Ethiopiaphoto_camera48videocam 0comment 0 -
49Yabello Wildlife Sanctuary
Dec 221 day laterYabēlo, Ethiopiaphoto_camera13videocam 0comment 0 -
50HIGHLIGHTS Mon 22 Dec: Camel Market, Borena Market
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51Fast Drive To Bule Hora
Dec 232 days laterBule Hora, Ethiopiaphoto_camera54videocam 3comment 0 -
52Slow Corrugated Drive To Yirgalem
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53HIGHLIGHTS Tues 23 Dec: Yebelo > Yirgalem
Dec 232 days laterYirgalem, Ethiopiaphoto_camera119videocam 0comment 0 -
54Foot To The Pedal
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55Lake Ziway
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56Tiya
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57Homeward Leg To Addis
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58HIGHLIGHTS Wed 24 Dec: Travel Back To Addis
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59Lake Bishoftu
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60Awash National Park PM Game Drive
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61HIGHLIGHTS Thurs 25 Dec: Travel to Awash Nat Park
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62Awash National Park AM Game Drive
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63Awash > Harar
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2022-08-18