Rainbow tours' Senior Africa travel expert, Derek Schuurman, shares his recent experience of a Hamar Bull jumping ceremony in South Ethiopia.
For many years, tourism to the South Omo region in Ethiopia has been a subject that has sparked intense debate. Having delved into literature about it, I felt a strong sense of trepidation before venturing there. The only reassuring input came from a book written by a long-time friend, Philip Briggs. Among the passages that stood out in the 7th edition of his ‘Ethiopia: the Bradt Travel Guide’, was this: ‘There is still much that is genuinely uplifting about the sheer tenacity that has allowed the South Omo’s incredible cultural and ethnolinguistic mosaic to survive into the 21st Century largely intact. Romanticise it or condemn it, South Omo is what it is, and frankly, it couldn’t give a damn what outsiders think’.
When I arrived in Southern Ethiopia for my first visit to the region, I wanted to find out for myself. I asked highlands guides from Addis Ababa, local guides from the Omo, lodge managers and people working for NGOs active there what the tribespeople really think of ‘faranji’ (tourists) descending on them with cameras.
It seems the villagers who are familiar with tourists do not mind being visited as it brings much-needed income. Some villagers asked, ‘Why do faranji only stay for a few minutes to take photos and then leave? Why don’t they stay with us a bit longer and get to know us?’.
Esta historia es de la edición July/August 2016 de Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
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Esta historia es de la edición July/August 2016 de Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
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Vermont, USA
The Wanderlust team relocated to New England for part of this issue, as we explored a lush state filled with outdoor escapes, historic towns... and lashings of maple syrup
Unique North America
See a side to the USA and Canada beyond the big cities and discover incredible stories and special wildlife with our pick of the trips
The call of the Rockies
From historic ski lodges to rustic backcountry cabins and a mock-Scottish castle, we pick the stays in Canada's Rocky Mountains that make the most of their setting
A new dawn for the Garifuna community
When the Garifuna people settled in Belize, they had to carry their traditions and culture with them; now a new trail is inviting visitors to explore this heritage through local communities
On the edge of history
In south-west Colorado lies the largest archaeological preserve in the USA, a series of vast cliff dwellings whose residents 'vanished' overnight. But was the answer to their disappearance in plain sight?
Tigers burning bright
As India celebrates 50 years of its Project Tiger conservation scheme, we visit the reserves of Madhya Pradesh to see how its success has impacted a tiger population that once looked in danger of disappearing
SEASON'S GREETINGS
From fiery fall foliage to art fairs and harvest festivals, opens up a wealth of across the USA and Canada autumn experiences
Waking a sleeping GIANT
A slow drive along the North Wales Way, from the English border to Anglesey, reveals not only a land of incredible local food and castles, but a region that is slowly reimagining itself
The rebirth of old JEDDAH
As efforts to restore Al-Balad, Jeddah's historical district, take hold, we get an exclusive peek at how art and culture are taking centre stage
Star-studded escapes
Wilderness, history and wildlife combine at some of Britain's most iconic stargazing sites, as more and more travellers are looking to the heavens
