The, Surma people are considered to be “nomads” by other Ethiopians. But in true sense the surma are no longer nomads. They were nomads when people have been fewer in number and competing for grazing. Now days they are living settled life depending on cultivated grains (Sorghum and maize) for the greater part of their subsistence.
The karo tribes are considered to be the master of body painting. They decorate their body with different colors when they are going to engage in dance, feast or celeberation.The karo tribe residing along the borders of the lower Omo River incorporates rich cultural symbolism in to their rituals by using ornate body arts, intricate head dresses, and body scarification to express beauty and significance within their community. The Karo frequently perform the Pilla ritual, which signifies the coming of adolescence for the young men. The initiation must demonstrate that he is ready to “become a man” by leaping over rows of cattle six times consecutively without falling. If he is successful, the boy will become eligible for marriage (as long as his older brothers are already married) and he will be allowed to prepare publicly with elders in sacred areas.
Hamer People
The Hamer occupy mountainous region in the eastern part of the lower Omo valley. The Hamar have integrated with many of their neighbors. Currently they make up the biggest Omotic language group in the Lower Omo region.
The Hamar women are some of the most elaborately dressed women of the region.
This group of tribe is related to the Nilo –Sharan linguistic family. They depend on rearing cattle. Their distinctive feature is that the labial and lobular plates worn by the women. A small wooden or ceramic disc is inserted into the incision and gradually replaced by larger ones until the full sized disc can be worn. This is done to explain social status. The woman removes their plates on ceain occasions but never when Mursi men are around. The plates are made from mud (reddish or black) or wood. There are different sizes and shapes (circular and trapezoidal). And they may be decorated with cuts or incisions on the wood or mud. Some times the center is hollow, forming a large labial ring.
The, Surma people are considered to be “nomads” by other Ethiopians. But in true sense the surma are no longer nomads. They were nomads when people have been fewer in number and competing for grazing. Now days they are living settled life depending on cultivated grains (Sorghum and maize) for the greater part of their subsistence.
The karo tribes are considered to be the master of body painting. They decorate their body with different colors when they are going to engage in dance, feast or celeberation.The karo tribe residing along the borders of the lower Omo River incorporates rich cultural symbolism in to their rituals by using ornate body arts, intricate head dresses, and body scarification to express beauty and significance within their community. The Karo frequently perform the Pilla ritual, which signifies the coming of adolescence for the young men. The initiation must demonstrate that he is ready to “become a man” by leaping over rows of cattle six times consecutively without falling. If he is successful, the boy will become eligible for marriage (as long as his older brothers are already married) and he will be allowed to prepare publicly with elders in sacred areas.
This group of tribe is related to the Nilo –Sharan linguistic family. They depend on rearing cattle. Their distinctive feature is that the labial and lobular plates worn by the women. A small wooden or ceramic disc is inserted into the incision and gradually replaced by larger ones until the full sized disc can be worn. This is done to explain social status.