Way of Life of the Dassanech Tribe Ethiopia
The Dassanech tribe lives around the Omo delta on the northern side of Lake Turkana. They practice flood retreat cultivation, pastoralism, and fishing. The Dassanech are the most southerly ethnic group living in Ethiopia’s Omo valley. The lands of the Dassanech are semi-arid and live where the Omo delta enters Lake Turkana. Their name means People of the Delta. This is an arid region despite the lake and delta; there is nothing but desert to the west and southwest.
Cattle are central to the lives of the Dassanech tribe, just as they are for the other ethnicities of the Omo valley. As well as meat, milk, and leather for clothing, houses, and mattresses, they provide status in the community and the bridewealth that allows a man to marry.
The Dassanech tribe is not strictly defined by ethnicity. Over time the ethnic group has absorbed many different peoples, and it’s now divided into eight main clans. Each clan has its own identity and customs. Its responsibilities towards the rest of the community are linked to a particular territory.
The most prominent clan is the Galbur, or Water and Crocodile clan. The Dassanech tribe believes its members have the power over water and crocodiles and are responsible for treating diseases throughout the ethnic group. The Turat clan is responsible for dealing with burns from the fire. They have powers to ward off snakes and cure many diseases and also have the ability to keep their enemies away from their animals. Another influential clan is Turnyerim, which has powers over drought. They pray for rain during dry periods, and they can also cure snakebites by spitting on the wound. Other clans claim to have healing powers over eye infections, scorpion bites, muscular problems, etc. Members of the same clan are forbidden from marrying or dancing with each other.
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Diet of the Dassanech Tribe in Ethiopia
As with most pastoralists in the area, the diet of the Dassanech people usually consists of dry porridge with milk, but they also hunt crocodiles and fish the Omo River.
Dassanech Ethiopia, Appearance
Dassanech women wear clothes made from leather. The men wear sarong-like garments. Both men and women of the ethnic group adorn themselves with beads and bracelets. Men can often be seen carrying a small stool or pillow, which is ubiquitous in this southern region.
Marriage
Marriage
The Dassanech have four types of marriage:
• Darech – arranged marriage
• Garu Wegesa – consensual marriage
• Seriti – marriage through abduction
• Ayodi – marriage by inheritance.
Marriage payments (Koyta) can be made in cash and in kind. The payment is shared among the bride’s relatives, but the largest share will go to her father.
Ceremonial Events of the Dassanech Tribe
Dimmi
This ritual is a tradition associated with the blessing of the firstborn daughters. Dimmi is performed when the girl reaches the age of 8–10. Each clan has its particular site where they perform the ritual. Girls of the same age and family are blessed together. Before the practice begins, temporary huts are built. Goats and cattle will be brought to slaughter at the ceremony. The girls’ fathers are expected to be well-decorated. A group makes the blessing of elders known as Buls. The primary purpose of the blessing is to ensure the girl’s fertility in their future life. Following the ceremony, the father becomes an elder.
Circumcision
Both men and women are circumcised in Dassanech society as a pre-requisite for marriage. Male circumcision is known as Edimita. Boys of a clan undergo circumcision together. Each family has a site designed for this purpose. Temporary huts will be built at the site, and the boys will be transferred to these huts. During this time, some members of their family visit to deliver food and other necessities. The circumcision ceremony lasts for three months, during which time the boys dance and feast on milk, roasted crops, and meat. On the day of circumcision, the person responsible for circumcising the clan boys circumcises each boy one by one. Then the boys return home with their parents.
Dassanech girls are circumcised young, at around 10 or 12 years of age. If they are not circumcised, a girl can’t marry, and her father won’t receive her bride price, so he has a direct interest in her going through the ordeal. Until they are circumcised, girls are called wild animals or men to tease them. Girls may be circumcised in their mother’s house or in another village, but it’s always amongst other girls their age who are going through the same ritual. When the practice has been completed, the girl is given sour milk to drink and a necklace by her mother. She is allowed to wear a leather skirt to show she is now considered an adult from then on. Marriage often takes place shortly after that.
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Conflicts / Disputes
The Dassanech conflict with all of their neighbors because of the scarcity of natural resources and ongoing cattle raiding. The Dassanech fight sporadically with the Hamar, the Nyangatom, and the Turkana tribes with whom they share borders.