Photograph by: Michele Zousmer
West of the Woito River in remote Southwestern Ethiopia resides the 7,000 strong Arbore people. Living in four small villages in close proximity to one another these pastoralists measure their wealth in cattle. The men leave their huts at sunrise and take their flock to the field. The women do what most do in the Omo Valley; haul water, prepare coffee, nurse their young and beautify themselves. Often photographed by the streams of foreigners who pull in to their villages in search of the; "undiscovered", "feral", "lost" the Arbore are rarely interacted with in a meaningful way. It is here, while meandering alone I came across three tribal beauties. All accessorized with colorful necklaces, waist bands made of highly polished beads and serpent shaped earnings. Their feminine way of being, gracefulness, and playfulness blended into the environment. The wild flowers, flat plateau surrounded by the mountains all framed them and I truly felt that they were people of the land. Not only could I peacefully photograph the Arbore girls, I could truly feel the moment as a special one. As we got closer to one another I heard teenage chatter and laughter. As much as I was enjoying this special meeting of people from diverse places I could feel their radiance, dignity and sense their joy in meeting me.
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