Tales from the Danakil Depression and Omo Valley
With more than 30 active and dormant volcanoes, the Danakil Depression is one of the most unique geological regions on earth. A strange and mysterious landscape – scattered with noxious hot springs, frozen black-lava flows, and massive salt basins left over from ancient lakes – it is one of the most tectonically active places on the planet. In stark contrast to the cool, temperate Ethiopian highlands, it is also one of the lowest, driest, and hottest places on earth. The lowest point (155m/509 ft. below sea level) on the African continent, the Danakil is where the famous 32.million year old fossil hominid “Lucy” was discovered in 1974. A trip to the Danakil is full of adventure and surely one you will never forget.
Nestled in the northeast corner of Ethiopia, Danakil Depression is a surreal landscape of otherworldly beauty and extreme conditions. Known as one of the hottest and lowest places on Earth, this vast salt desert is adorned with technicolor mineral deposits, bubbling lava lakes, and ethereal salt flats, offering intrepid travelers a glimpse into an alien-like world shaped by volcanic activity and geological wonders.
Erta Ale, meaning “Smoking Mountain” in the local Afar language, is the region’s most-visited and active volcano. Erta Ale is one of the few volcanoes in the world that have an almost persistent lava lake. It is an isolated basaltic shield volcano, 50 km wide, rising more than 600 m from below sea level in the Danakil Depression.
Camel Caravans
As the Awash River flows into the Danakil Depression, it dries up leaving a chain of salt lakes such as Lake Afdera. The local inhabitants, the Afar people, cut salt bricks from the lake beds, load them onto camels, and then lead caravans for hundreds of kilometers to markets in the Ethiopian highlands. Most of the Afars’ are nomads who herd sheep, goats, cattle, and camels and are the men are known for their fighting
prowess. Predominately Muslim, many Afar still hold some traditional beliefs such as believing that certain trees and groves have sacred powers.
A trip to the Afar region should only be undertaken with proper planning and a knowledgeable guide. With an average annual temperature of 34-35º C, abundant supplies of water should be taken along. With a knowledgeable guide, up-to-date information from embassies in Addis Ababa, and a well-planned trip, a safe tour can be taken to the region.
Omo Valley
The Omo River Valley in southern Ethiopia is undoubtedly one of the most unique regions in the world. Within this small geographic area reside at least 30 distinct ethno-linguistic groups, whose lifestyles, until very recently, did not vary much from those of their ancestors. Elaborate body painting, scarification, and women with clay lip plates, elaborate headdresses of clay and feathers help distinguish one tribe from one another.
The Surma tribe, also known as the Suri, captivates with their distinctive culture and striking adornments. Renowned for their intricate body painting, elaborate lip plates, and vibrant traditional attire, the Surma people embody a rich tapestry of customs and traditions that have endured for centuries in this remote corner of Africa.
This part of Ethiopia, extending into northern Kenya, is incredible for both its cultural diversity and the isolation of its inhabitants for centuries past. As influences from the outside world inevitably encroach on this fascinating land, the people of the Omo Valley will face many challenges regarding their culture and way of life.
Dorze People
Near the town of Arba Minch is the home of the Dorze people, respected for their weaving skills and for their beehive shaped homes. The homes, made from bamboo and leaves from the local Enset plant can be as tall at 10 meters and last for over 50 years. As termites destroy the base of the home, the residents will pick up the entire structure and move it to a different location. A small home indicates its older age.
