The Karo

 

The Karo or Kara is a small tribe with an estimated population between 1,000 and 3,000.  They live along the east banks of the Omo River in southern Ethiopia and practice flood retreat cultivation. The crops that are grown by them are sorghum, maize and beans.  Only small cattle are kept because of the tsetse flies.

 

Women scarify their chests to beautify themselves in preparation of their dances and ceremonies Scars are cut with a knife and ash is rubbed in to produce a raised welt.

 

They pulverize locally found white chalk, yellow mineral rock, red iron ore and black charcoal to decorate their bodies, often imitating the spotted plumage of a guinea fowl. Feather plumes are inserted in their clay hair buns to complete the look. The clay hair bun can take up to three days to construct and is usually re-made every three to six months. Their painted facemasks are spectacular.

 

The men's scars represent an enemy or dangerous animal killed.  They also wear clay hair buns which symbol a kill.  A man in the tribe can have as many wives as he wants, but must be able to afford them.  Most men will only marry two or three.