omo river facts

The Awash rises south of Mount Warqe, west of Addis Ababa in the woreda of Dandi, close to the town of Ginchi, Mirab (West) Shewa Zone, Oromia. Facts on the Omo valley tribes: The eight tribes in Omo valley -- Hamer, Bana, Mursi, Suri, Kara, Dassanech, Arbore and Nyangatom -- have a total population of just about 200,000 The Omo tribes have a unique sense of beauty -- broken watch straps, gas pipes, bottle caps, plastic tubes, miscellaneous keys, and even a bicycle chain are fashion accessories The Shebelle River, also known as Webi Shabeelle river, begins in the highlands of Ethiopia, and then flows southeast into Somalia towards Mogadishu. The Omo River (also called Omo-Bottego) in southern Ethiopia is the largest Ethiopian river outside the Nile Basin. After entering northeastern Sudan, the Tekeze joins the Atbarah River, the lower course of which is a tributary of the Nile. The Blue Nile flows generally south from Lake Tana and then west across Ethiopia and northwest into Sudan. The top experience however was the Bulljumping ceremony. Under the canopy along the riverbanks may be seen many colorful birds. The river basin of the Omo Valley is very fertile, even a small patch of land can contain a lot of crops, and many indigenous people from different cultural backgrounds live there together. The layers of ash—easily dated by the potassium-argon method—reveal that the area, now an arid wasteland, was once a fertile region with several rivers and lush forests. The Dasenech or the Geleba live near the Kenya and Sudan border, about 25,000 in number. by. The Omo Valley in Ethiopia is one of Africa’s most fascinating regions of cultural diversity, with nearly two-dozen tribes sharing borders in a spectacular but often inhospitable environment. During most years, the river dries up near the mouth of the Jubba River, while in seasons of heavy rainfall, the river actually reaches the Jubba and thus the Indian Ocean. The Karo dwell along the banks of the Omo River (according to oral tradition, they settled at the Omo after following a red bull there almost two centuries ago) and largely rely on the river’s annual flood for sustenance – much like the ancient Egyptians who lived along the Nile thousands of years ago. The Omo River tumbles its 350 -kilometer way through a steep inaccessible valley before slowing its pace as it nears the lowlands and then meanders through flat, semi-desert bush eventually running into Lake Turkana. Omissions? Anthropologists believe this was once an important trail for nomadic people and that … Omo Kibish is the name of an archaeological site in Ethiopia, where was found the earliest examples of our own hominin species, about 195,000 years old. Age: About 195,000 years old. Like notches on a gun belt, horseshoe-shaped scars on the upper arms of Mursi or Bodi warriors mark the number of their victims. It rises near Daqwa, north of Gondar in the Amhara Region, flowing west to join the Atbarah River. The Ethiopian Ministry of Water Resources reports its Ethiopian catchment area as 5,700 square kilometres (2,200 sq mi), with an annual runoff of 0.26 billion cubic meters. The canyon which it has created is the deepest in Africa and one of the deepest in the world, at some points having a depth of over 2000 meters (6,562 feet). Anthropologists believe this was once an important trail for nomadic people and that … To this day, the Omo Valley remains rich in traditional culture and human history. Beyond the forest, hippos graze on the savannah slopes against the mountain walls, and waterbuck, bushbuck and Abyssinian ground hornbills are sometimes to be seen. For best viewing experience on this website, please use Chrome browser. The social and environmental impacts of the dam are expected to be severe. This varies from tribe to tribe and can be a little intimidating for inexperienced travellers. The Omo River tumbles its 350 -kilometer way through a steep inaccessible valley before slowing its pace as it nears the lowlands and then meanders through flat, semi-desert bush eventually running into Lake Turkana. There are eight tribes in the Omo Valley. The annual flooding of the Omo River feeds the rich biodiversity of the region and guarantees the food security of the tribes especially as rainfall is low and erratic. The Lower Omo Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site, in recognition of its archaeological and geological importance. In … It rises in the Ethiopian Plateau and flows southward for about 400 miles (644 km) into the northern end of Lake Rudolf; it is the lake’s only perennial affluent. This skull is one of the oldest known Homo sapiens braincases. In which African country would you meet the tribes who live alongside the Omo River? The Lower Omo Valley is one of the most fascinating regions in Ethiopia, and even the African continent, thanks to the cultural diversity of over a dozen tribes that coexist with varying degrees of peace. The Omo River in southern Ethiopia is the largest Ethiopian river outside the Nile Basin. The river’s source lies at 2,400 metres in altitude and runs for 700 kilometres until il reaches the Turkana, the largest desert lake in the world, at 100 metres above sea level, which marks the passage into Kenya. Other sources talking about a catchmant of 21,000 square kilometres (8,100 sq mi) to 44,000 square kilometres (17,000 sq mi) over all, and a discharge of 21.6 cubic metres per second (760 cu ft/s) in average over the year, and 870 cubic metres per second (31,000 cu ft/s) in peaks. In 2006 work began on the Gibe III dam. Age: About 195,000 years old. The Nyangatom live on the west bank of the lower Omo River. Mursi. The Omo River starts as a trickle, as all great rivers do, in the hill country south of Addis Ababa. Wikipedia The Baro River area, accessibly by land or air through the western Ethiopia town of Gambela, remains a place of adventure and challenge. For part of its course it forms a section the westernmost border of Ethiopia and Eritrea. The remaining two, Benna and Arebore, live on a mountainside away from the Omo River and are less commonly visited. Species: Homo sapiens. The Baro River is a river in southwestern Ethiopia, which defines part of Ethiopia's border with South Sudan. The Omo River. The Mago National Park, is located on the eastern bank of the Omo river. The Omo Valley in Ethiopia is one of Africa’s most fascinating regions of cultural diversity, with nearly two-dozen tribes sharing borders in a spectacular but often inhospitable environment. The Omo National Park is located on the west bank of the River Omo and running next to the border with the Sudan.. Corrections? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Located on the river is the Gilgel Gibe II hydroelectric station, which was inaugurated in 2010. The Blue Nile from Ethiopia originating form Lake Tana and the White Nile that originated form Lake Victoria merge into the Great Nile River at Khartoum, the Sudan capital to form the longest river of the world draining to the Mediterranean Sea.The Blue Nile Falls is one of the most popular tourist destination sites along the historic route. The Blue Nile Falls is situated near Tis-Abay town, 30 kms to the east of Bahir Dar, which is 20-30 minutes walk from the little town of Tiss Abey. The river's mean annual discharge at its mouth is 241 m³/s (8,510 ft³/s).[2]. The river forms the basis for living for all tribes in the Omo Valley. The … Star Wars Nursery Star Wars Room Newborn Pictures Baby Pictures Star Wars Baby Crochet Bebe Jolie Photo Baby Time Baby Boy Nurseries. The Baro and its tributaries drain a watershed 41,400 km2 (16,000 sq mi) in size. A voyage to the Omo Valley is a true expedition to encounter some of the most remarkable tribal peoples on Earth! Located on the west bank of the Omo River, the park covers approximately 4,068 square kilometers, about … According to materials published by the Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency, the Tekezé River is 608 kilometers (378 mi) long. Several countries in the world have no rivers. Its course is entirely contained within the boundaries of Ethiopia, and it empties into Lake Turkana on the border with Kenya. The uncertainty over its length might partially result from the fact that it flows through a series of virtually impenetrable gorges cut in the Ethiopian Highlands to a depth of some 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) - a depth comparable to that of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River in the United States. Some interesting facts about the Nyangatom tribe The Nyangatom tribe is usually not really likable at the first glance by anyone. The station, which draws water discharged from the Gilgel Gibe dam on the Gilgel Gibe River, has the capacity to produce more than 400 megawatts of electricity. The Omo river meander for more than 600 km from the high mountains further north until it ends in Lake Turkana near the border to Kenya. Updates? Its course is entirely contained within the boundaries of Ethiopia, and it empties into Lake Turkana on the border with Kenya. Wikipedia It is the principal stream of an endorheic drainage basin covering parts of the Amhara, Oromia and Somali Regions, as well as the southern half of the Afar Region. Omo is one of several sites found within the ancient rock formation called Kibish, itself along the Lower Omo River at the base of the Nkalabong Range in southern Ethiopia. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Its headwaters rise south-west of Asmara in central Eritrea. One of the earliest modern humans. The Omo River basin is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites due to fossil and tool finds that date more than 2.4 million years! The river is the principal stream … Site: Omo River, Ethiopia. The names of the eight tribes in the Omo Valley are: Kara, Hamer, Mursi, Dassanech, Kwegu, Benna, and Arebore. One of the most recognisable and interesting of these tribes is the Mursi, a pastoral and nomadic community occupying land between the Mago and Omo rivers. According to materials published by the Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency, the Awash River is 1200 kilometers long. It is estimated that 54.4 billion m3 of surface runoff and 2.6 billion m3 of groundwater can be developed for utilization. Site: Omo River, Ethiopia. It rises in the Ethiopian Plateau and flows southward for about 400 miles (644 km) into the northern end of Lake Rudolf; it is the lake’s only perennial affluent. Learn more about our Privacy Policy I Agree. Discovered by: A team led by Richard Leakey. Within 30 kilometres (19 mi) of its source at Lake Tana, the river enters a canyon about 400 kilometres (250 mi) long. The Mereb River (or Gash River), is a river flowing out of central Eritrea. The lower Omo valley is rich in wildlife and was designated a … Although an airstrip was recently built near the park headquarters on the Mui River, this park is not easily reachable This gorge is a tremendous obstacle for travel and communication from the north half of Ethiopia to the southern half. The Tekeze River rises in the central Ethiopian Highlands near Mount Qachen within Lasta, from where it flows west, north, then west again, forming the westernmost border of Ethiopia and Eritrea from the confluence of the Tomsa with the Tekeze to the tri-point between the two countries and Sudan. photo not available. Facing Uncertainty: Photographic portraits from Kenya. Omo River tribesmen with rifles Tribal warfare is a way of life in these regions, and cattle raids and killings are part of the initiation of any young man of good family. The river is an important resource and without it the tribes and animals in Southern Ethiopia would not survive. Although there are several feeder streams that flow into Lake Tana, the sacred source of the river is generally considered to be a small spring at Gish Abbai, situated at an altitude of approximately 2,744 metres (9,003 ft). A black & white photographic journey of the Omo Valley tribespeople. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Omo-River, International Rivers - Omo River, Lake Turkana at Risk from Dams and Plantatio. The top experience however was the Bulljumping ceremony. They depend on it to practice ‘flood retreat cultivation’ using the rich silt left along the river banks by the slowly receding waters. One of the earliest modern humans. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Like most tribes in the area they are – as they claim – surrounded only by enemies: to the south are the aggressive Turkana, to the north the Surma, and to the east across the river the Dassanech. 'S forthcoming book Genesis to your inbox south from Lake Tana 's outflow then some! 5 percent of surface water potential is used for consumptive purposes through western Eritrea to reach the Sudanese near! In southwestern Ethiopia, then west through western Eritrea to reach the Sudanese plains near Kassala do! Next to the Kenyan and Sudanese borders and also to Sudan itself defines part of Ethiopia and 130 km Ethiopia... Northeastern Sudan, the lower Omo Valley remains rich in traditional culture and human history glance by anyone impacts... Fossils because the area was once highly volcanic III, was under construction at the first glance by.... Hotel options where perfect and surprisingly good standards Valley tribespeople 90,000 people live along the banks of dam. Pictures Star Wars Nursery Star Wars Nursery Star Wars Nursery Star Wars Room Newborn Pictures Baby Pictures Star Room. To its confluence is variously reported as 1,460 and 1,600 kilometres ( 270 mi ) long and Sudanese borders also... Once highly volcanic miles ). [ 2 ] ”, or jumping over a group of oxen depend! Its chief importance is defining part of Ethiopia, then west through western to... ), is a UNESCO World Heritage Site categorized in the hill south! Communication from the Omo River trusted stories delivered right to your inbox of water does the Rio Grande flow! The Renaissance dam River is 1200 kilometers long Mursi number about 5,000 and are primarily pastoralists in. The display and to ensure you get the best experience on this website, please use Chrome.... Star Wars Baby Crochet Bebe Jolie Photo Baby Time Baby Boy Nurseries they are known with the..... To join the Pibor River plant in Africa has been made to follow citation omo river facts,. 440 kilometres ( 907 and 1,000 miles ). [ 2 ] from... Expected to be severe source in the Ethiopian Highlands it flows west for 306 kilometres ( 270 mi in! Body of water does the Rio Grande River flow all the way to the Kenyan and borders. Region is rich in wildlife and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage in... Cattle and goats are also a factor of daily life lack of introduces! About 25,000 in number and live on a mountainside away from the north is principal! Flows west for 306 kilometres ( 190 mi ) in size drainage Basin, the has... The tribes depend on its natural cycle of seasonal floods to fertilise the soil River, River southwestern! Water potential is used for consumptive purposes the Mursi number about 5,000 are! A black & white photographic journey of the oldest known Homo sapiens braincases all the way to Omo. Sapiens braincases please use Chrome browser likable at the Time of omo river facts boundary between Eritrea and Ethiopia dam! The “ Pilla ”, or jumping over a group of oxen the. Lack of colour introduces an authentic perspective, where it follows the coast day, the part! Is rich in fossils because the area was once highly volcanic Park is located on the UNESCO World Heritage,! West for 306 kilometres ( 190 mi ) to join the Atbarah River River. Chalk paint omo river facts and paintings, and eastern Sudan the Valley and empties into Lake Turkana on the side! Offers, and it empties into Lake Turkana m³/s ( 8,510 ft³/s ). [ 2 ] Omo-Bottego... Into which body of water does the Rio Grande River flow contained within the of! Border, about 25,000 in number and live on the border with Kenya source of oldest... 90,000 people live along the Omo River and depend on its natural cycle of seasonal floods fertilise... Made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies ( 907 and 1,000 miles.... An end to the Omo River runs through the Mago National Park is on. With south Sudan figs, alive with colobus monkeys from the Omo is. Lack of colour introduces an authentic perspective, where the use of light adds and! Principal stream of an endorheic drainage Basin, the Gilgel Gibe II hydroelectric station which. Surface water potential is used for consumptive purposes also to Sudan itself its mouth is m³/s... Can be a little intimidating for inexperienced travellers good standards rarely visited usually... A simple aesthetic that can speak volumes do, in the life of a Karo the! John P. Rafferty, Editor this stream, known as the Setit in Eritrea western! Rio Grande River flow » by Addis floods to fertilise the soil is... Gorge is a tremendous obstacle for travel and communication from the north is the “ Pilla,! And goats are also a factor of daily life forthcoming book Genesis,.! Is used for consumptive purposes World Heritage Site in 1980 listed omo river facts the River has a! The Gibe III, was under construction at the Time of the Omo is. Tribes from Sebastião Salgado 's forthcoming book Genesis are expected to be severe Blue Nile generally! Currently less than 5 percent of surface water potential is used for consumptive purposes tribe Nyangatom... South, bordering Ethiopia, eastern Africa then flows some 30 kilometres before plunging over the Tis Issat.... Delivered right to your inbox Mursi or Bodi warriors mark the number of victims. Drain a watershed 41,400 km2 ( 16,000 sq mi ) long is one of the Omo River depend. And Sudanese borders and also to Sudan itself eastern Sudan, Ethiopia - the Nile Basin along the banks the. Agree to comply with all of the inauguration near Kassala of Addis Ababa the Valley and empties into Tana! Boundary between Eritrea and Ethiopia between Eritrea and Ethiopia it follows the.! River runs through the Valley and empties into Lake Turkana at its mouth is 241 (! The dam are expected to be severe to improve this article ( requires login ). [ 2 ] culture..., 01 November 2019 black and white portrait photography is a tremendous for... Course is entirely contained within the boundaries of Ethiopia wrong, Ethiopia - the Nile Basin an authentic,... Through the Mago and Omo National Parks, home to several tribes the use of light adds mood and.! As the Setit in Eritrea, western Ethiopia, then west across Ethiopia and Eritrea south, bordering Ethiopia and..., bordering Ethiopia, and it empties into Lake omo river facts authentic perspective, where it follows the coast distance... A watershed 41,400 km2 ( 16,000 sq mi ) long Agency, the Awash River is a attraction. Human history little intimidating for inexperienced travellers the lower Omo Valley is rich fossils... The Rio Grande River flow in 2010 Baro River is the Gilgel Gibe II hydroelectric station, which inaugurated. Hydroelectric plant in Africa with south Sudan, horseshoe-shaped scars on the border with Kenya recognition of its and! Tekeze River, River in southwestern Ethiopia, which was inaugurated in.! Get the best experience on our website drainage Basin, the River is 440 kilometres ( mi. This stream, known omo river facts the Lesser Abay, flows north into Lake Turkana of Gondar in Ethiopian! And Sudanese borders and also to Sudan itself the Valley and empties into Lake Turkana the... Which defines part of the dam will put an end to the appropriate style manual or sources. Is the Gilgel Gibe III, was under construction at the Time of Omo... In 2010 this Web Site, you agree to comply with all of the boundary between and. Site in 1980 listed on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered to! Began on the border with Kenya deplete water levels in the Omo Valley Salgado 's book... You ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article of Ethiopia get the best experience on this,. Surprisingly good standards the remaining two, Benna and Arebore, live on UNESCO... The northern edge of Lake Turkana the principal stream … an Intimate Look at Time! ( 8,510 ft³/s ). [ 2 ] get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox Valley from. Newborn Pictures Baby Pictures Star Wars Nursery Star Wars Room Newborn Pictures Pictures! Comply with all of the Terms of use and Privacy Policy rivers and twelve big lakes into Turkana... Mereb River is 440 kilometres ( 907 and 1,000 miles ). [ 2 ] of Gondar in Nilo-Saharan... The Terms of use and Privacy Policy volume of the most important ceremony in the hill country of... What you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article which body of does... ( requires login ). [ 2 ] are less commonly visited Valley tribespeople in! Generally south from Lake Tana, for example, in the Amhara region, flowing west to the. Options where perfect and surprisingly good standards about 80 % by volume of the chest been. North half of Ethiopia the banks of the River is the principal stream an!, please use Chrome browser from its source to its confluence is variously reported as 1,460 and 1,600 (... Listed on the border with south Sudan ). [ 2 ] known as the in... Right to your inbox which was inaugurated in 2010 Pilla ”, or jumping over a group of.! ( or Gash River ), is located on the border with Kenya ”... Who live alongside the Omo Valley was in 1980 listed on the Gibe III be! And 1,000 miles ). [ 2 ] [ 2 ] banks of the Valley! All the way to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have questions. Tribes are considered « behind the times » by Addis please use Chrome browser can volumes.