Sunday Snapshot: Mursi Warriors – Omo Valley, Ethiopia
Mursi Warriors – Omo Valley, Ethiopia. Photo by Shane Dallas.
Traveling to Ethiopia in 2010, Shane Dallas (The Travel Camel), journeyed to the Omo Valley and spent time with some truly extraordinary tribes. This was his first exposure to a village where men carrying guns was the norm, so if one is nervous around weapons, this is not the place to be.
Shane says that the Mursi Tribe are “the most famous and feared in the Omo Valley; the aggressiveness of the Mursi is known by any visitor here, and I have heard of other travellers unwilling to visit them due to episodes such as stone throwing and their predilection for alcohol. However, they also promised an unforgettable experience, so undaunted our vehicle proceeded to the Mago National Park where the tribe resides. A sign at the park’s entrance states: “No Automatic Weapons”, but this regulation is flagrantly ignored by the Mursi.”
Read about Shane’s full experience with the Mursi Tribe.
6 Comments
Fascinating picture!
Thanks Karisa, the Omo Valley in Ethiopia is a very fascinating place to visit. So much diversity amongst the different tribes within a relatively small geographic area.
Interesting picture I couldn’t resist reading the great article – Sounds like an amazing trip and experience.
I emailed him for permission to feature his story as soon as I saw the photo – found it so intriguing!! I thought I traveled off the beaten path, but Shane’s experiences are truly inspiring!
Thanks for your comment Ed. It is rough travel in that part of Ethiopia, bumpy, dusty roads, basic facilities with no hot water, and toilets that are usually a hole in the ground. I looked at your site, love your use of neutral density filters to create mood.
Great shot, so much for that sign right lol.