A Perfect World?

  I posted a blog a couple of weeks ago called Contrasts which a lot of readers I have spoken to never saw and so I’m going to expand on the topic here and share the pictures again. I recently read a book called “Can’t Buy My Love” by Jean Kilbourne which goes into detail, …

Contrasts

As I have written many times here, our lives contrast significantly with those of the people in the Omo Valley in Ethiopia.  Beyond the obvious differences in our day to day lives I have been looking at the differences with the perfect lives advertising creates all around us.  When compared to what we have, they …

Enough

One of the most meaningful insights I come back to over and over when I describe my experiences in Ethiopia to others is my realization that despite having very few material things, the people of the Omo Valley live very joyful and satisfying lives.  It would be easy to think that is just the children …

The Body Canvas

I am very excited to share with you two of my pictures have been selected for an exhibition in London at the Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI).  The exhibition has a goal to help develop an understanding of the personal, social and political reasons why people undergo permanent body modification and  explore the many ways in which communities …

A Healthy Community?

I have mentioned many times the importance of the tribe to the people of the Omo Valley.  Each tribe has a critical ritual related to the path from adolescence to adulthood often involving some kind of proof of commitment to the tribe.  Some of these are very painful as in the wearing of lip plates …

Photography with a Cause

Reflecting back on my trip to Ethiopia I am left with a strong sense of gratitude for the time I was able to spend with the tribes people.  It is humbling to think of the hardships they overcome, for example no running water, no electricity, basic medical support if you walk to the nearest town, …

Reflections on the Trip

Writing this blog has been a wonderful way for me to recount my experiences in Ethiopia and also to reflect on what I have learned and gained from the experience.  The biggest thing I have taken away is the difference in sense of community between the people of these tribes.  Without our virtual connected world, …

Omo Child

While we were in Jinka, we visited the Omo Child Orphanage.  Omo Child is an organization started by Lale Labuko and his wife from within the Kara Tribe, in partnership with American Photographer, John Rowe.  Omo Child was started as a refuge for the Mingi children; children who are cast out from their tribe because …

Konso – Wednesday Sept 26th

We started the day stopping by an Ari tribe village and even though we weren’t able to stay and visit them, I noticed their village had long grassy lanes between rows of small houses and yards.  It reminded me of the place I grew up in Bristol, Orchard Road; it had a back lane running …

For the sake of tradition – Tuesday Sept 25th

Our final day of visiting tribes and we end with one of the most famous, the Mursi.  The Mursi women wear lip plates that give them a unique and unmistakable appearance.  The tradition is believed to have originated from a time when their women were taken because of the good looks and to deter this …