A large number of ancient African tribes still live in the Omo Valley region of Southern Ethiopia. We visit some of them while we are staying in Jinka.
Jinka is the main town of the Omo valley, and its market is used by most tribes to trade their goods. When we visit the market, however, we mainly see “normal” city people. The goods are spread out on the ground, but because of the rain it is more like a mud pool. So instead of roaming the market we choose to visit a local pub. Here we play with some children and a group of singing Aari women passes. One of them is getting married and is dressed nicely. We witness a bachelor party African style.
Aari tribe
The next day is reserved for a visit by jeeps to the remote area of the Mursi tribe. Because of bad road conditions, however, the trip is cancelled. Instead, we are brought to a village of the Aari tribe, to take a look around.
The Aari is a relatively modern tribe. They do not wear traditional clothing or have other tribe-specific looks. But they live in small huts where we can take a look around. They also sing and dance for us, but it’s not a spectacular dance. Some drunken man humm and play on a flute while they step around.
We decide to walk the 8 miles back to Jinka. After a while we hear singing from a small church. As we look at the entrance we are invited inside, to participate in the Sunday church service. There is room for us on the front row, where we sit down while everybody continues singing. The enthusiasm with which everybody sings is in contrast with the church services at home. The priest however, is as long-winded as the priests in Holland, maybe because we don’t understand what he is saying. So after a while we say goodbye to continue our walk home.
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