Beaded Necklace – Dassanech Tribe – Omo Valley, Southern Ethiopia

Glass beads. Diameter approx. cm. 19,0 (7.48″). Cm. 6,5 high (2.55″). Gr. 327,3 (11.54 oz.) The Dassanech are the most southerly tribe living in Ethiopia’s Omo valley. The lands of the Dassanech are semi-arid and they live where the Omo delta enters Lake Turkana. Their name means People of the Delta. Despite the lake and delta, this is an incredibly dry region; there is nothing but desert to the west and southwest. The Dassanech tribe is not strictly defined by ethnicity. Over time the tribe has absorbed a wide range of different peoples and it’s now divided in to eight main clans. Each clan has its own identity and customs, its own responsibilities towards the rest of the tribe and is linked to a particular territory. The largest clan is the Galbur, or Water and Crocodile clan. The Dassanech believe its members have the power over both water and crocodiles and are responsable for treating diseases throughout the tribe. The Turat clan is responsible for dealing with burns from fire. They have power to ward off snakes and cure many diseases, and also have the ability to keep their enemies away from their animals. Another important clan is Turnyerim, which has powers over drought. They pray for rains during dry periods and they can also cure snakebites by spitting on the wound. Other clans claim to have healing power over eye infections, scorpion bites, muscolar problems, and so on. Members of the same clan are forbidden from marrying or indeed dancing with each other. Piece directly collected in the area. We guarantee that this item has been tribally used.