15 NAMES OF TRIBES IN Southern Ethiopia including the omo valley
AARI TRIBE
ARBORE TRIBE
BANNA TRIBE
BENCH TRIBE
DASSANECH TRIBE (DASSENECH, DAASANECH)
DIZI TRIBE
DORZE TRIBE
HAMER TRIBE (HAMMER)
KARA TRIBE (KARO)
KONSO TRIBE
MURSI TRIBE (PART OF SURMA TRIBE)
NYANGATOM TRIBE
SILTE TRIBE
SURI TRIBE (PART OF SURMA TRIBE)
TSEMAI TRIBE (TSAMAI, TSEMAY)
There are 86 different ethnic groups in Ethiopia
Whilst there are 86 officially recognised ethnic groups in Ethiopia, there is no where else in the world with such a diverse and unique group of tribes living so close to each other than Ethiopias Omo Valley in the south west of the country. While many people visit Ethiopias Omo Valley tribes, there are also other wonderful tribes to spend time with on your journey to/from the Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia.
In this blog post I share 15 tribal portraits and an introduction to some of these wonderful Ethiopian tribes found in the southern regions that i’ve loved meeting and spending time with.
THERE ARE 10 MAIN TRIBES TO VISIT IN THE OMO VALLEY
The 10 tribes that are the most well known and visited in Ethiopias Omo Valley include 9 in the South Omo Zone and the Suri Tribe in the more distant West Omo Zone. The 9 tribes are Aari, Arbore, Banna, Dassanech, Hamer, Kara, Mursi, Nyangatom and Tsemai which are in the South Omo Zone region in Southern Ethiopia. These are the main tribes referred to as being in the Lower Omo Valley which are often included on Omo Valley tour itineraries. There are two main central Omo Valley towns with the biggest being the Aari town of Jinka and the smaller being the Hamer town of Turmi. When based from these two towns you can visit many of these beautiful and culturally rich Omo Valley Tribes.
15 beautiful ethiopian tribes with photos and their location
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
AARI
South Omo Zone, Omo Valley Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN AARI TRIBE (ari tribe)
Living north of Mago National Park and in the Omo Valley town of Jinka and surrounding hillsides, the Ethiopian Aari tribe has both the largest population and largest land in the Omo Valley. The Aari are an indigenous Omo Valley tribe and live in the South Omo Zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) which is situated in south west Ethiopia. The Aari tribe have mostly adapted to modern times wearing western clothing and living in bright coloured rectangular homes. The soil and climate around Jinka benefits the Aari tribe greatly with them being able to grow multiple crops on their farmlands.
You can go for a guided walk around one of the Aari tribe villages with one of the friendly local guides. Learning about their lifestyle, hearing family stories as well as being able to capture some wonderful portraits with bright coloured backgrounds.
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
ARBORE
South Omo Zone, Omo Valley Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN ARBORE TRIBE
50km south of the Omo Valley town of Weyto, the Arbore live amongst the stunning landscapes of Lake Chew Bahir. During and after the rainy season the Arbore can become isolated due to the roads being accessible in this flood prone area. The Arbore are believed to have historic connections to the Konso tribe. The Arbore live in the South Omo Zone of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region, however due to them living close to the eastern border of this region in Ethiopia there have been many discussions with possible future ideas of rezoning them. There seem to be some benefits to the Arbore tribe in changing their administration zone.
The Arbore young girls have shaved heads until they are married, so they are often seen wearing a cloth over their heads for sun protection. Intricate jewellery designs and welcoming smiles makes the Arbore tribe a great village to visit while on an Omo Valley cultural tour.
To find out more about Ethiopias Omo Valley Arbore Tribe CLICK HERE
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
BANNA
South Omo Zone, Omo Valley Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN BANNA TRIBE (BENNA, BANA, BENA TRIBE)
Living in the South Omo Zone of Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region the Banna tribe live in and around the Omo Valley town of Dimeka. The Banna live between the Weyto River and Omo River and you will see their villages and them walking their cattle along the road between the towns of Jinka and Turmi. The Banna share many cultural similarities with the Hamer tribe which are their neighbours to the south.
The Banna tribe also share the same coming of age ceremony for the men as the Hamer tribe which is commonly known as “bull jumping”. A wonderful place to see the Banna tribe is the Key Afer market on a Thursday. Everyone comes into town to trade and socialise and with an abundance of color and fashion styles and multiple tribes it is an incredible market experience.
Read a past blog post on a Banna Tribe bull jumping ceremony CLICK HERE
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
BENCH
Bench Maji Zone, Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN BENCH TRIBE
You drive past some of the beautifully painted large round homes of Ethiopias Bench tribe when approaching the large city of Mizan Teferi from Jimma. The Bench tribe live in the Bench Maji Zone of the South West Ethiopia Peoples Region. The South West Ethiopia Peoples Region was a newly named zone which prior to November 2021 was part of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region.
If you are travelling to the Suri Tribe you will usually drive through the Bench tribe villages on your drive from Jimma to Mizan Teferi. There is a wonderful friendly Bench Tribe village that always loves tourists to stop by and see them.
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
DASSANECH
South Omo Zone, Omo Valley Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN DASSANECH TRIBE (Dassenech/Galeb/Reshiat/ dassanetch tribe)
Ethiopias most southern tribe is the Dassanech tribe who live in the delta of the Omo River and north of Lake Turkana. Living in both Southern Ethiopia as well as Northern Kenya they are the largest Omo Valley tribe that has retained its traditional lifestyle, culture and villages. In recent years the lives of the Dassanech tribe has improved immensely, with pumps from the Omo River giving them farming opportunities that they previously struggled with due to the harsh land and climate that they live in. Barren dry land is now vibrant green crops growing much needed food and resources.
To read more and see more photos of Ethiopias Omo Valley Dassanech tribe CLICK HERE
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
DIZI
THE ETHIOPIAN DIZI TRIBE
Living in South West Ethiopia and around the town of Maji, the Dizi Tribe live closer to the Bench tribe and Suri tribes than the Lower Omo Valley tribes. Maji is a town that no longer sees many tourists visit due to new roads/routes to the Suri Tribe. There is a wonderful tribal market in Maji and when around the Dizi tribe people you can see many friendly smiles and happy, curious faces amongst the intense market colours and activities.
Find out more and watch a video from the Ethiopian Dizi tribe CLICK HERE
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
DORZE
Gamo Zone, Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN DORZE TRIBE
Living in the Chencha mountains not far from the large town of Arbaminch in the Gamo Zone, the Dorze tribe are a great tribe to visit before or after your visit to the Omo Valley. Arbaminch is a days drive from Addis Ababa, or you can get a short flight from Addis so it is one of the most accessible tribes in Southern Ethiopia.
With unique cultural practices and traditions, the Dorze tribe have villages you can visit to learn about their lifestyles and culture. Whilst some are quite set up for tourists, the visits are done in a very welcoming way trying to get tourists to interact, embrace and joining in with the Dorze tribe life. After a few of the local shots you’ll leave with your heart full and cheeks sore from smiling.
Read all about visiting the Dorze tribe CLICK HERE
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
HAMER
South Omo Zone, Omo Valley Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN HAMER TRIBE (HAMMER, HAMAR TRIBE)
The Omo Valley Hamer tribe live around the town of Turmi. Sharing a very similar culture with the Banna tribe who live close by as well as sharing a few traditions with the Kara tribe. The women have distinct hairstyles and necklaces that have meaning. The necklaces show if they are married and what number wife they are if there are multiple. For example the photo above shows this Hamer women is the first of three wives.
To watch a video from a private tour which included camping with the Hamer (and Kara) tribes CLICK HERE
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
KARA
South Omo Zone, Omo Valley Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN KARA TRIBE (KARO TRIBE)
With only three villages alongside the Omo River the Kara tribe remain one of the most frequently visited Omo Valley tribes due to the scenic village location of their village Korcho. Situated on the bend of the Omo River, the Kara tribe live in the South Omo Zone of Ethiopia. Women with nails inserted below their lower lips, intricate headresses and body painting are a few of the many things you will see when visiting the Kara tribe.
Read more about what it is like camping in a Kara Tribe village CLICK HERE
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
KONSO
Konso Zone, Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN KONSO TRIBE
In the Konso Zone in Southern Ethiopia is the UNESCO recognised Konso tribe. A UNESCO World Heritage Site in recognition of the creative and intelligent use of terrace farming on the Konso land, as well as the unique traditions of their village design and symbols of cultural significance throughout.
Read more and see more Konso Tribe photos CLICK HERE
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
MURSI
South Omo Zone, Omo Valley Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN MURSI TRIBE - SURMA TRIBE
Living in the Mago National Park the Mursi Tribe are a short drive from the Omo Valley town of Jinka. The only tribe in the South Omo Zone that practices lip plates means that they are often visited by curious tourists. They are part of the Surma tribe collective group which includes the Suri Tribe and they share many similarities in traditions and cultures.
The roads can become inaccessible after heavy rains and with the Mursi Tribe villages moving frequently how far you have to drive to see them depends on where they are currently settled and living.
To see more Mursi Tribe photos CLICK HERE to a previous blog post
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
NYANGATOM
South Omo Zone, Omo Valley Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN NYANGATOM TRIBE (BUME TRIBE)
The Nyangatom tribe live in South West Ethiopia, Northern Kenya, South East South Sudan and the Ilemi Triangle. Their neighbours are the Suri Tribe, Turkana Tribe and Dassanech Tribe. In Ethiopia the Nyangatom tribe are in the South Omo Zone and the Omo National Park creates some needed land separation between them and the Suri Tribe who are more remote and in the West Omo Zone.
Kangaten is the Omo Valley town of the Nyangatom tribe and is next to the Omo River which provides the needed water supply for their farmlands. Body scarring and mutilation, multiple beads of necklaces and colourful fashion accessories are all part of the Nyangatom culture.
To read more and see more tribal photos from Ethiopias Omo Valley Nyangatom tribe CLICK HERE
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
SILTE
Silte Zone, Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN SILTE TRIBE
The Site tribe are one of the tribal villages you may pass through when driving towards the Omo Valley. Living to the north of the Southern Nations and Nationalities Peoples Region is the main area of Ethiopias Silte Tribe. Originally from the ancient northern Ethiopian town of Harar, the Silte tribe are now living in many Ethiopian cities including Addis Ababa. I’ve included the Silte Tribe in this blog post as I have had some wonderful moments with them and been welcomed with such friendly hospitality, even although it is unlikely you will find many tourists/travellers spend time with them.
To read more about the city of origin of the Silte tribe - the ancient city of Harar CLICK HERE to a previous blog post
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
SURI
West Omo Zone, Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN SURI TRIBE - SURMA TRIBE
The Suri Tribe are located close to the border of South West Ethiopia and South Sudan and are one of the most amazing Ethiopian tribes to spend time with. Whilst there are some towns on Suri land like the town of Kibish and Tulgit, there are no tourist hotel facilities (of an acceptable basic standard) in this remote region of Ethiopias West Omo Zone. When visiting the Suri Tribe there are days of driving on dirt roads and then bush camping. It is more challenging to visit and stay and does not suit every person that considers visiting the Suri, however it is one of the most rewarding and wonderful communities to send time.
A photographers delight the Suri Tribe that love their photos to be taken are eager to get in front of the camera lens. Body painting, body scarring, body mutilation and creative headdresses and floral arrangements are all part of the amazing Suri Tribe experience.
The Suri Tribe live in a remote area and not in the South Omo Zone. You’ll need time to travel to the Suri as it is not near a big town. A 4x4 with full camping facilities and chef are needed.
Watch my behind the scenes video with the Suri Tribe that went viral on You Tube CLICK HERE
ETHIOPIA TRIBES:
TSEMAI
South Omo Zone, Omo Valley Ethiopia
THE ETHIOPIAN TSEMAI TRIBE (TSAMAI, TSEMAY, TSEAMAI, TSAMAKO TRIBE)
The Tsemai live near the Banna and Hamer tribes in the South Omo Zone of Ethiopia. They share many traditions and respect each others cultures and live closely alongside each other. One unique part of the Tsemai culture is the tattoos on the womens face.
THERE ARE MANY TRIBES YOU CAN VISIT ON AN ETHIOPIAN CULTURAL TOUR
There are beautiful Ethiopian tribes to visit in the Omo Valley as well as on your drive to/from the Omo Valley from Addis Ababa or Arbaminch. Often referred to as the “Upper Omo Valley” the West Omo Zone includes the more remote Suri Tribe and there are likewise some wonderful tribes to visit on your drive to/from the Suri Tribe from Jimma or Addis Ababa.
Interested in travelling with me on an amazing cultural adventure? CLICK HERE to find out more
To see 5 more Omo Valley Maps CLICK HERE