The Lower Omo Valley, near the borders of Kenya and Sudan, is home to some of the most fascinating tribes on the continent of Africa and around the world. Upon arriving, I immediately caught the attention of the villagers because not many “Faranji” people visit when I went in April/May as it’s the start of the rainy season.
As a photographer and filmmaker, I was there to document the tribes, but it wasn’t always easy. Some tribes like the Karo and the Hamer were really open to getting their pictures taken — often in exchange for a little money — while the Mursi were more aggressive towards photographers, myself included. I learned that it was better to leave my camera in my bag while I showed my genuine interest in the culture and just talked to people. I wanted to learn how they lived, how they cooked, how the kids played, and so on. I wanted this to be a meaningful visit, not just capturing images that look strange to Westerners.
Intermission
Intermission