The bizarre beauty of Ethiopian tribal women
Ethiopia is famous not only for its stunning landscapes, but also for its numerous and very distinctive tribes who jealously preserve their traditions. Lebanese photographer Omar Reda traveled to the Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia and photographed representatives of three different tribes - the Hamar, Dasanech and Mursi. His vivid portraits demonstrate the unique cultural identity of each tribe, as well as their unusual jewelry, such as the famous lip discs of the Mursi and the bottle caps and watch bands of the Dasanech women.
We invite you to check out some of Omar Reda's striking photographs that capture the quirky beauty of Ethiopian women.
Emphasizing the artistic direction of his project and expressing gratitude for the hospitality of each of the tribes, Omar Reda commented to MailOnline:
An elderly woman from the Hamar tribe, famous for covering their hair and body with clay, oil, animal fat and painting with ocher. The necklace on her neck is similar to a wedding ring.
The 200,000-strong Dasanech tribe lives in the Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia and is known for creating unique jewelry from everything from old electronic wristwatches to plastic bottle caps. The photo shows an elderly woman decorated with watch straps and shells, as well as colored beads.
Another elderly Dasanech woman with colorful accessories. Wearing an ostrich feather means that the person has killed either a wild animal or a member of an enemy tribe.
Among the Mursi tribe, the lip disc is considered a sign of beauty, and girls begin to wear it in adolescence, gradually increasing its size. They remove the two lower teeth to fit the disc: the larger it is, the more beautiful the girl. Seashells are considered the most exotic decoration.
Heavy labial discs, made of clay and often measuring five inches in diameter, are used to mark the traditional rituals of the Mursi tribe to transform a girl into a woman. Some women can eat without removing the disc, others take it out to eat.
In addition to labial discs, the Mursi have a variety of other jewelry, including beaded headdresses, fruits, horns, subcutaneous tattoos, and necklaces made from gun casings.
A blind elderly woman from the Dasanech tribe, consisting of eight clans. Beads are a symbol of each clan. The woman is wearing highly prized bottle caps, which have become the signature decoration of the tribe.
This incredible shell crown and similar necklace are coveted pieces of jewelry worn by an elderly Dasanech woman.