My first visit to Ethiopia was in 2010, when my father invited me to join him on a business trip, so i didn't hesitate. All i could say now, it was love at first sight!
Since the trip was mainly for business, i did not spend as much time as i normally would when taking photos, however i made sure i got the best out of what i had in hands.
Since the trip was mainly for business, i did not spend as much time as i normally would when taking photos, however i made sure i got the best out of what i had in hands.
There are photo opportunities wherever you go, don't limit your journey with one goal. During my photography experience, i find myself having the best photos in spontaneous moments such as a one-minute red traffic light. You just have to be ready for it.
Omo Valley is full of surprises and a unique culture that you might not see else where in the world. I find it very unfortunate that drifting of new civilization/modernization might affect the nature of these tribes, however it could also be helpful in other ways.
My first visit to Ethiopia was in 2010, when my father invited me to join him on a business trip, so i didn't hesitate. All i could say now, it was love at first sight!
Since the trip was mainly for business, i did not spend as much time as i normally would when taking photos, however i made sure i got the best out of what i had in hands.
The picture above titled "Intense" was taken during the first visit after we took a road trip from Addis Ababa, the capital, to Oromia Regional State, West Arsi Zone to visit some wood factories in the area. It was a wet and rough ten-hour drive (round trip).
Story of the cross on the boy's forehead shows the diversity of cultures and religion in Ethiopia.
The muslim boy said that he had seen a lady with a cross tattooed to her forehead when he was collecting wood from the factory. So he stuck his finger in the mud and tried to imitate her look.
The Journey
In my first visit, July 2010, i felt that i hadn't fulfilled my desire. Therefore i planned another trip in 2012 from Addis Ababa to Omo Valley in Southwest Ethiopia.
Love
Jinka, Ethiopia is a place of hope and home for children who are rescued from "Mingi", which is what some Omo Valley tribes in Southwest Ethiopia believe is a"curse". The tribe will kill Mingi children to protect the tribe from evil spirits.
- To read more about Mingi please visit www.omochild.org
- To read more about Mingi please visit www.omochild.org
Omo Valley
Home to eight different tribes who have lived there for hundreds of years
Omo Valley is full of surprises and a unique culture that you might not see else where in the world. I find it very unfortunate that drifting of new civilization/modernization might affect the nature of these tribes, however it could also be helpful in other ways.
Tribes like Kara, Hamer, Bena, Dassanech, and Mursi settle in Omo Valley and each has a way of presenting themselves.
There are photo opportunities wherever you go, don't limit your journey with one goal. During my photography experience, i find myself having the best photos in spontaneous moments such as a one-minute red traffic light. You just have to be ready for it.