Festivals in Omo Valley

The Hamar tribe Evangadi Night
Featuring distinctive dances and songs performed in the village. Every unmarried man and woman participates in this grand celebration, making it a highlight of our Ethiopia Omo Valley tours.

Bull Jumping in the Hamar Tribe
One of the most iconic traditions of the Hamar tribe in the Omo Valley is the Bull Jumping ceremony, a rite of passage for young men seeking to marry. During this festival, each man must successfully jump over a line of ten bulls—a test of strength, courage, and readiness to support a family.

In Hamar culture, failure to complete the jump means waiting until the next year for another attempt, while success allows the man to negotiate a bride price with the girl’s family. Men who already possess many cattle may take additional wives without repeating the ceremony.

Experiencing this vibrant and daring tradition is a highlight of our Omo Valley tours in Ethiopia, offering travelers an authentic glimpse into the rich cultural life of the Hamar people.

Bodi Tribe Ka’el Festival
The Ka’el Festival is a spectacular celebration of the Bodi tribe’s culture and marks their traditional new year. Central to this festival is a unique “fatness competition” for men, where participants spend an entire year preparing by consuming large amounts of food, milk, and even cattle blood to gain weight. The man who becomes the heaviest is celebrated as a hero and admired for his dedication and strength.

Experiencing the Ka’el Festival offers travelers a rare glimpse into one of Ethiopia’s most fascinating tribal traditions. Join our Omo Valley tours for an authentic and unforgettable cultural adventure.

Dimi Festival of the Dassanech Tribe – Omo Valley, Ethiopia

The Dimi Festival is one of the most important traditional ceremonies of the Dassanech tribe in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley. This unique cultural celebration marks the transition of daughters toward fertility and their future marriage, serving as a symbolic coming-of-age ceremony shared between fathers and daughters.

The festival usually takes place in the central gathering areas of the Dassanech, depending on their seasonal settlements during the dry season near the Omo River. Fathers prepare for the event by painting their faces with yellow clay, wearing black ostrich-feather hats, adorning themselves with leopard or cheetah skins, and carrying long wooden sticks as symbols of honor. Women dress in traditional leather skirts decorated with colobus monkey capes, highlighting their cultural identity.

Once dressed in their ceremonial costumes, fathers and daughters sing and dance in separate groups, creating a vibrant and powerful atmosphere that reflects the rich cultural heritage of the Omo Valley tribes. The Dimi Festival is not only a rite of passage but also a living tradition that travelers can witness on Omo Valley cultural tours in Ethiopia.

Stick Fighting in the Surma Tribe
Among the Surma people, one of the most thrilling cultural traditions is Donga, a ceremonial stick-fighting competition. Young men participate to prove their bravery and readiness for marriage. Battles typically involve 15 to 30 participants on each side, and the victorious fighter earns the honor of choosing a bride from the girls observing atop a nearby hill.

Beyond its role in courtship, Donga also demonstrates the Surma tribe’s warrior skills to neighboring communities, including the Nyangatom and tribes across the South Sudan border. Held mainly in the summer following the rains, this dramatic and intense event is a highlight of our Omo Valley tours in Ethiopia, offering visitors an unforgettable glimpse into tribal life.

Are you interested in one of these Omo Valley events? Book your favorite event alongside our Omo Valley tours in Ethiopia and create unforgettable memories.