Our last visit today, with our guide (1,000 ETB) from Key Afer, was to the village of the Banna tribe (1,000 ETB). The Banna (or Benna) are an ethnic group in Ethiopia’s Southern Omo Valley region, known for their semi-nomadic lifestyle, distinctive traditions, and close relationship with the neighbouring Hamar people. They are primarily agriculturalists and pastoralists, raising cattle and goats for milk, meat, and hides. They are also recognised for unique cultural practices, such as the “bull jumping” ceremony for marriage, intricate traditional regalia, and the use of stilts by boys for both practical purposes and play.
