Ethiopia

Rivers, rituals, and timeless horizons

In January 2023, I travelled through Ethiopia, from the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela to the walled city of Harar, and the Lower Omo Valley in the south. In Harar’s maze-like alleys, colour spilled from markets and the call to prayer echoed through the ancient gates. Lalibela offered a different rhythm, its stone-carved sanctuaries alive with worship and candlelight. In the Lower Omo Valley, I met communities whose traditions are expressed in beadwork, body painting, and ceremony - each place a vivid thread in Ethiopia’s cultural tapestry.

Karo herders with goats in dust, Ethiopia
Karo herdsman with rifle on shoulders, Ethiopia
Karo boy carrying goat kis in dust, Ethiopia
Dassenach man having traditional cloak adjusted, Ethiopia
Hamar woman doing friend's hair with children round them, Ethiopia
Man with bleeding head at donga stick fight, Ethiopia
Arbore woman with scarf draped over head, Ethiopia
Facial portrait of Arbore girl, Ethiopia
Suri girl with floral headdress and painted face, Ethiopia
Street scene prior to dawn in Harar, Ethiopia
Buthcher's shop with meat hanging, Harar, Ethiopia
Women selling wares from ground in market, Ethiopia
Elderly female worshipper at Lalibela, Ethiopia
Three priests reading bibles under tree at Lalibela, Ethiopia
Priest holding candle in dark church, Lalibela, Ethiopia
Two Suri boys with similar face painting, Ethiopia
Suri girl with scarification and traditional earrings, Ethiopia
Suri girl with fruit headdress and painted face, Ethiopia

When: January 2023
Where: Lalibela, Harar, and the Lower Omo Valley.
Culture & Tradition: From Lalibela’s rock-hewn churches to Harar’s walled city, alive with colour, markets, and the call to prayer, to the Lower Omo Valley’s diverse peoples - each with distinctive traditions, artistry, and deep ties to place.
Travel Notes: Travelled by road and air between regions; accompanied by local guides for cultural insight and language support.

Old woman sitting beneath tree, Harar, Ethiopia