People & Culture · Southern Ethiopia & Omo Valley
Karo People
A small community on the eastern bank of the Omo, renowned for some of the most elaborate body painting in Africa.
- Best Time
- Year-round except April and May
- Suggested Stay
- Half day
- Altitude
- 400 to 500 m
- Region
- Southern Ethiopia & Omo Valley
Why We Go
Master body painters living on the banks of the Omo River.
The Karo use white chalk, red ochre, yellow mineral pigments and charcoal to create striking designs on their faces and bodies for ceremonies and celebrations. Men wear clay hair buns decorated with feathers, and women are known for their beadwork and scarification.
They are agro-pastoralists who farm the fertile riverbanks of the Omo. The village of Kolcho, high above the river, is one of the most beautiful places in southern Ethiopia.
Highlights
- Chalk, ochre and charcoal body art
- Villages perched above a sweeping bend of the river
- Riverside sorghum and maize gardens
- Ceremonial dances and beadwork
Journeys Including Karo People
Routes that pass through here
More in Southern Ethiopia & Omo Valley
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Build Karo People into your journey
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Speak to someone who has been there this season
Our guides travel these routes all year. Ask about road conditions, festival dates or the best time to visit. You will get a straight answer.
Or call us directly on +251 912 039405