Ethiopia 2008 Southern Ethiopia
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Southern Ethiopia is tribal country. The lower Omo valley is a remote and culturally very diverse part of Africa. In a relatively small area around the Omo river more than 10 completely different tribes live like they have done for centuries. The traditions and the way the decorate their bodies differs distinctly from tribe to tribe. The Hamar have red clay and fat in their hair and wear shell necklaces. The Dasanech have almost no decoration and just wear a cloth. The Kara paint their faces with white spots and the Mursi wear big lip plates. It is a fascinating part of Africa. .
Northern Ethiopia
Close to Hue,
Northern Ethiopia is a culturally rich area. Even before the birth of Christ, a global Empire had it’s capital in Axum We started our trip in Bahir Dar, famous for it’s monasteries on Lake Tana, which is also the source of the Blue Nile. Not far from Lake Tana, there is a big waterfall.
Our next stop was Gonder, the capital in Medieval days. It has some beautiful castles and churches from that period. Some of these are still in very good shape.
Axum is the oldest capital. There are many grave markers around the city and some ancient ruins. Axum also has the most important church in Ethiopia and it claims to have the original Ark of the Covenant. It also houses a collections of crowns and ceremonial robes of the Emperors of Ethiopia.
Lalibella is known for it rock hewn churches. Instead of building the church up, stone by stone, these churches were carved out of a single rock, both exterior and interior and the drainage system to keep the churches dry when it rains. These churches are a real marvel of engineering.

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