Dassanch People
Located in the remote south-west of Ethiopia Omo valley, As many as two dozen different tribes occupy this region, some numbering tens of thousands, other no more than 500, each one of them culturally unique. As The south Omo region is inhabited by colorful, culturally diverse tribes who continue their traditional lives, little changed by the outside world.
Dassanche also known as the Galeb or Geleb, this tribe lives just north of Kenya’s Lake Turkana. Their neighboring tribe is the Turkana people.
The Daasanech are pastralists (cattle herders), but due to the harsh territory, they have moved south to grow crops and fish. Cattle are used by the tribesman for meat, milk and clothing. Often their cattle die from disease and drought. Of all the tribes in the Omo Valley the Daasanech is the poorest. Because the Daasanech people come from multiple ethnic groups, both men and women must agree to be circumcised. There are eight clans that make up the Daasanech tribe, each having its own name. They are the Elele, Inkabelo, Inkoria, Koro, Naritch, Oro, Randal and the Ri’ele. Each clan is defined by its territory with the Inkabelo being the wealthiest.
During a ceremony, the Dassanech men dance with large sticks and the women hold wooden batons. A Daasanech man blesses his daughter’s fertility and future marriage by celebrating the Dimi. During the Dimi 10 to 30 cattle are slaughtered. Both men and women wear fur capes while they feast and dance. A Dimi ceremony will most likely take place in the dry season.
Dassanch People Photo Gallery
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[lvca_testimonials_slider slideshow_speed=”4000″ animation_speed=”600″ direction_nav=”true” control_nav=”true”][lvca_testimonial_slide author=”Ken and Marg from Canada” credentials=”The trek was fab!” author_image=”1116″] “…Footprint is doing a great job! I will highly recommend you to everyone I know traveling to Ethiopia An incredible way to truly experience the local culture and villages that have not been spoilt by tourism. And, to do it with a tour company that respects the local people, their culture and environment…”[/lvca_testimonial_slide][lvca_testimonial_slide author=”Ken and Marg from Canada” credentials=”The trek was fab!” author_image=”1116″] “…Footprint is doing a great job! I will highly recommend you to everyone I know traveling to Ethiopia An incredible way to truly experience the local culture and villages that have not been spoilt by tourism. And, to do it with a tour company that respects the local people, their culture and environment…”[/lvca_testimonial_slide][lvca_testimonial_slide author=”Ken and Marg from Canada” credentials=”The trek was fab!” author_image=”1116″] “…Footprint is doing a great job! I will highly recommend you to everyone I know traveling to Ethiopia An incredible way to truly experience the local culture and villages that have not been spoilt by tourism. And, to do it with a tour company that respects the local people, their culture and environment…”[/lvca_testimonial_slide][lvca_testimonial_slide author=”Ken and Marg from Canada” credentials=”The trek was fab!” author_image=”1116″] “…Footprint is doing a great job! I will highly recommend you to everyone I know traveling to Ethiopia An incredible way to truly experience the local culture and villages that have not been spoilt by tourism. And, to do it with a tour company that respects the local people, their culture and environment…”[/lvca_testimonial_slide][/lvca_testimonials_slider]