The last night I was in Ethiopia our tour group went to a dinner show at a night club in Addis Ababa. I was so awe struck by the beauty of the Ethiopian women who attended I considered hiding in the bathroom. Okay. Not really but that’s how stunning they were.
Recently I read an interview about the late David Bowie, who married the beautiful Somalian model Iman. The following questions in that interview made me think of that night in the night club.
Interviewer: “What was the most important decision of your life?
Bowie: “Marrying my wife.”
Interviewer: “And as a musician?”
Bowie: “Nothing else matters”.
Wow! How’s that for devotion, Ladies! Somalians are closely related genetically to Ethiopians. They are both unusually stunning, photogenic people . Although I have never visited Somalia (it has been suffering from a civil war since 2009) I can assure you that Ehiopians are a singularly attractive people.
Photographing other cultures
Recently I went to an exhibition of Steve McCurry‘s photography in Chicago. He’s famous for this Nat Geo cover portrait of what is known as The Afghan Girl. The exhibition blew me away; it reminded me of why I get so excited about portraiture in other cultures. Some of my most favorite trips are to places where I can capture people in their environment. Cuba, India, Mexico, and Ethiopia are the ones that stand out. I love landscapes too but faces are my passion.
Women have an easier time getting portraits from strangers than men, I believe. Steve McCurry might argue with me. On the other hand, it is easier and safer for a man to travel in underdeveloped countries. I’m sure McCurry would not give me an argument about that. He also has a handler, something I cannot afford. Which is why I take group photo tours. It’s safer and it gets me the access that an unknown, retired Spanish teacher-turned photographer would not enjoy.
Now for the fun stuff: the following gallery is from the cow jumping ceremony of the Hamar tribe in the Omo Valley. Don’t try this at home, friends. (click on photo for full view)
Market Day and beautiful faces
Travel tip: Never miss Market Day! No matter what the country, third world or first, they are a panoply of people, food, and goods. The Dimeka Saturday market in the Omo Valley is spectacular for people watching. I loved watching the young people from the Hamar tribe show up in their Sunday finest even though it’s Saturday. They are there to see and be seen. The young girls are trying to catch the eye of a future husband. It’s worth the price of admission….which of course is free. Married women of the Hamar tribe wear metal rings around their necks. Yikes! Try that on Gen X, Y or Z! When Beyoncé sings “If you liked it then you shudda put a ring on it” this is not what she meant. And it better have some bling, Dude.
The beauty of the Karo, Dessanech, and Mursi tribes
Addis Ababa and elsewhere
In the larger cities away from the Omo Valley people mostly wear clothing of the western world. The following images were taken in Addis, Arbor Minch, and Lalibela. All subjects were very accommodating and friendly when asked if I could photograph them. As I have found in most cultures that the combination of a big smile, patience, and respect is a ticket to a good portrait. A bella faccia.
Fortunately, I didn’t need to be blessed with the beauty of an Ethiopian/Somali woman to find a devoted man like David Bowie. But it did take me 72 years and I had to leave the country in order to find him. Oh! Canada! Hey! Some of us have to work a little harder.
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