The Tribal Society

The Mursi, or Mun as they call themselves, are a Surmic ethnic group residing in the Debub Omo Zone of southwestern Ethiopia, close to the South Sudan border. They number around 11,500 people, with the majority living in rural areas. This region, surrounded by mountains between the Omo River and its tributary, the Mago River, is one of Ethiopia’s most remote and isolated areas. The Mursi people are known for their distinctive cultural practices, including their traditional clothing and body modifications. One of the most notable aspects of Mursi culture is the use of lip plates by women, which are inserted into the lower lip to stretch it over time.…