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A Kara Youngster : Dus Village
The Kara are a beautiful people. and photographing them with the benefits of a black cloth and an off-camera flash is a real joy.
The Lower Omo Valley in south west Ethiopia is a photographer’s dream. It might be off the beaten track and hard to get to, but it is home to 16+ ethnic groups, each with their own distinctive customs, dress, and body art, so once you are there, you are spoiled for choice of subjects.
The tribal people in this region have learned that their tourism ‘value’ is in their appearance, and they generally charge visitors ‘per click’ for pictures made of them. While this is entirely fair, it removes the opportunity to make truly environmental pictures: the people in these remote villages are acutely aware of the camera, and will ‘pose’ at every opportunity.
So, if they are going to pose anyway, why not make use of the black cloths and off-camera flashes that someone has transported into the middle of the jungle!
I was comfortably lodged in the heart of Kara tribal territory on the south bank of the Omo River, at a mobile camp organised by Grand Holidays Ethiopia. The campsite was close to Dus Village, the largest of three Kara villages in Ethiopia: a half-day’s drive from power, running water, and the market town of Turmi. I was travelling with photographer Ben McRae on a Piper Mackay tour, and he and some of the other participants had brought flash units with them.
Our location gave us exceptional access to the village, and we visited a number of times, at all times of day (see: Kara Village). The Kara are known for their beautiful body- and face-paint, which they apply to each other for fun, decoration, and artistic expression – even if there are no photographers around, and even when there is no special occasion to celebrate.
Join me for some flash – and some environmental – portraits of these beautiful people.
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Kara Youngster in Face Paint
The Kara people love their beads and face paint.
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Smiling Kara Youngster
With no common language, and the Kara’s serious attitudes about photography, it was hard to get a relaxed pose – so I was very happy with this gorgeous smile.
Painting Guinea Fowl
Outside our makeshift studio, young women are helping each other get ready. Guinea-fowl spots are one of the most popular design elements.
Cowrie Shells and Beads
Kara women love their beads. Like their Hamar cousins, they wear goatskin smocks, trimmed with cowrie shells.
Face Paint and Ochre
They take pride in their face paint, and – also like the Hamar – they dress their hair in an ochre and fat paste.
Kara Man
There is a simple elegance in these people’s faces.
Man in Hands
The face-and-body paint styles take a variety of forms. Hand prints are a popular body-paint motif. I love that clear, direct gaze.
Old Kara Man
The feathered clay cap this man is wearing is proof that he has made a kill in the past year or two: either of an enemy, or of a dangerous animal.
Kara Woman in a Beaded Headdress
Beads and Spots
A Sideways Glance
Mother and Toddler
Back outside in the village, people pose in front of their woven grass houses.
The Soccer Match
On a flat patch of dusty ground, …
Jump Shot
… a group of young men in bare feet or flip-flops …
Ball Skills
… chase an under-inflated soccer ball.
Playing Ball
I can’t figure out the rules – if there are any – of the game they are playing, …
Eyes on the Ball
… but there is no mistaking their skill and enthusiasm.
Face Painting
The afternoon draws on and people continue to gather in clusters to apply face paint.
Kara Mother in Corn Rows
All around the village, young mothers …
Kara Mother in Traditional Dress
… are happy to show off their children.
Young Kara Men
Girls and their Instas
As the light started falling, I pulled out my Fujifilm Instax camera and – once they realised what was happening – the young women clamoured to get their own instant pictures to keep. They are so used to having their pictures ‘taken’; having them given back to them was a nice change!
I lost all my new ‘best friends’ as soon as I ran out of Instax film!
But, it was time to move on anyway: the young men were about to bring home the goats.
More on that later. Until then,
Keep Smiling!
Pictures: 21October2018
[…] a number of times. Sadly, it was our last full day there. After a morning of portraiture (see: Tribal Portraits), I was off to make a second attempt at capturing the daily activity of bringing the goats […]