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Ethiopia is a majestical country. The landscape there is mindblowing and what is astonishing is the richness of culture. The variety of religions and tribes gave this country a unique identity which is extremely hard to find it elsewhere.
This portrait series was taking during my last trip to Southern Ethiopia, specifically Omo Valley. These people are from 3 different tribes who have totally different culture. Each tribe has its own characteristics in terms of lifestyle, language, clothing, and rituals. What is unique about these tribes is the art of decoration they do. It reflects beauty and uniqueness of personality.
I was honored to visit them and to be their guest.
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#1
Woman From The Hamar Tribe
Final score:
18points
RELATED:
#2
Woman From The Dassanech Tribe
Final score:
17points
#4
Blind Woman From The Dassanech Tribe
Final score:
16points
#5
Woman From The Mursi Tribe
Final score:
16points
Omar Reda (Submission author) 8 years ago
Nowadays, it is a sign of beauty for them. This lip plate tradition started during the colonial slavery era, the girls started to pinch their lips and deform it in order to be avoided to be selected as slaves. With time, this tradition became as a sign of beauty, the bigger the plate the more beautiful the girl is.
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M.W.Rohim 8 years ago
did they wear this thing at their mouth all the time..?how they eat or drink..?( -.- )"
Omar Reda (Submission author) 8 years ago
Some of them were wearing it and some not. Once it is removed, they can eat and drink, the lip would be dangled like an elastic band. They only put it during special ceremonies and events or when presenting food to the husband. Hope this information is helpful :)
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Omar Reda (Submission author) 8 years ago
The lip will be dangled and this is a normal looking there.
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Omar Reda (Submission author) 8 years ago
It takes multiple stages, they start with a tiny plate and they must remove the frontal teeth. With time, they enlarge the plate.
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#6
Woman From The Mursi Tribe
Final score:
15points
Rachel Robichaud 8 years ago
This headdress and necklace is a visual representation of fruitfulness and abundance. I like it! I see she stretched her ear lobes as well.
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What do you think ?
Mell 8 years ago
It probably was no easy for you to finish your photography project but this is really cool to see these people living their lives in their own way. I'm wondering how they eat with a plate in the lip. Is it removable?
Omar Reda (Post author) 8 years ago
It was really wonderful to experience the visit live. The plate is removable, they put it only during special ceremonies or when they want to present food for the husband.
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Levi Heichou 8 years ago
I think their beauty is very interesting I don't find it ugly. It's very amazing to see that's their type of beauty. :D thanks for sharing!
Mell 8 years ago
May I ask another question? :D They must have some gods or some legends. Among all these tribes you visited, what was the most interesting legend or god?
Omar Reda (Post author) 8 years ago
I asked this question when I visited the Dassanech tribe. They believe there is a mighty powerful force or an unknown thing to whom all the spirits of the dead go.
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Zunaira Rashid 8 years ago
For meit was horrible.it looks like a very backward area where there is no knowledge and awareness and these people are still living in like stone age........
Omar Reda (Post author) 8 years ago
Sir, for them it is a beautiful tradition and a sign of beauty. Your perception is diffjavascript:void(0);erent than theirs. That's why we should respect each other culture and traditions.
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Mell 8 years ago
It probably was no easy for you to finish your photography project but this is really cool to see these people living their lives in their own way. I'm wondering how they eat with a plate in the lip. Is it removable?
Omar Reda (Post author) 8 years ago
It was really wonderful to experience the visit live. The plate is removable, they put it only during special ceremonies or when they want to present food for the husband.
Load More Replies... Levi Heichou 8 years ago
I think their beauty is very interesting I don't find it ugly. It's very amazing to see that's their type of beauty. :D thanks for sharing!
Mell 8 years ago
May I ask another question? :D They must have some gods or some legends. Among all these tribes you visited, what was the most interesting legend or god?
Omar Reda (Post author) 8 years ago
I asked this question when I visited the Dassanech tribe. They believe there is a mighty powerful force or an unknown thing to whom all the spirits of the dead go.
Load More Replies... Zunaira Rashid 8 years ago
For meit was horrible.it looks like a very backward area where there is no knowledge and awareness and these people are still living in like stone age........
Omar Reda (Post author) 8 years ago
Sir, for them it is a beautiful tradition and a sign of beauty. Your perception is diffjavascript:void(0);erent than theirs. That's why we should respect each other culture and traditions.
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