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The Bodi tribe is predominantly pastoral, living directly north of the Mursi, with whom they share much of their way of life. Except for limited agricultural activity around the Omo River, the Bodi tribe depends entirely on animal husbandry. Their culture is very much based on cattle. Like the Mursi, the Bodi’s classification of cattle is complex, with over 80 words used to denote different …

The Mursi tribe of Ethiopia lives in an almost inaccessible area between the Mago National Park and Omo National Park within the valley. They are predominantly nomadic pastoral but they also engage in limited agriculture. Cattle are the most prized possession in the Mursi tribe culture. They measure wealth by the number of cattle they own and men name themselves after the color of their …

Way of Life of the Hamar Tribe of Ethiopia The Hamar tribe of Ethiopia are principally pastoralists, breeding cattle, goats, and sheep. They have a similar veneration for cattle as their close neighbors. The women and girls grow crops, with the staple being sorghum, but they also grow beans, maize, and pumpkin. The women are also responsible for collecting water, cooking, and looking after the …

Way of Life of the Aari Tribe of Ethiopia The Aari tribe boasts the largest population of any of the ethnolinguistic groups of the Omo Valley. Their influence extends from the northern border of Mago National Park into the highlands around Jinka and Key Afer, and even further north. They predominantly practice settled agriculture and live in the fertile vicinity of Jinka. The Aari tribe …

Way of Life of the Tsemay Tribe Ethiopia The Tsemay tribe live around the Woito River and are predominantly agriculturalists. The principal livelihood of the Tsemay is rearing livestock, but they practice agriculture alongside animal husbandry. They mainly produce sorghum and maize using the slash-and-burn method and shifting cultivation. They have a tradition of cooperating with each other during land preparation, as well as farming …

Way of Life the Maale Tribe The Maale tribe lives in an area called Malle Awaki. They are the second largest ethnic group in the south Omo zone. They are predominantly agriculturalists but those living at lower altitude practice mixed agriculture and produce several crops for consumption and trade. Livestock has less value to the Maale than the lowland pastoralists. The Malle tribe also hunts …

Way of Life of the Kwegu Tribe The Kwegu Tribe live at the confluence of the Mago and Omo rivers but they also mingle with the Mursi and the Karo. They are specialists in beekeeping and fishing. The Kwegu people are predominantly pastoralists, but those living at lower altitude practice mixed farming. They have a tradition of beekeeping. Hives (known as Wera) are constructed by …

Way of Life of the Nyangatom Tribe of Ethiopia The Nyangatom tribe are predominantly pastoralists but they also practice dry farming during the wet season and flood cultivation along the west bank of the Lower Omo and at Kibish Rivers during the dry season. Within the territory of the Nyangatom tribe, two different types of settlement and lifestyle have evolved. Along the west bank of …

Way of Life of the Arbore Tribe Ethiopia Also known as Hor, the Arbore tribe are the southern neighbors of the Tsemay. They live in the hot plains north of Chew Bahir and are predominantly pastoralists. Livestock has high economic and social value for the Arbore ethnic group. They keep cattle, sheep, and goats. Milking cows, calves, sheep, and goats are held in the vicinity …