The "Completely Beyond Belief" Key Afar Market in South Ethiopia
As Henock approached Key Afar, brilliantly dressed people were approaching from all directions. The Banna in brown, Tsemay/Tsermay dressed in red and yellow, the Ari. More Banna people wearing goat skin skirts consisting of six different pieces (and colors) of goat. Warriors with feathers in their heads. Some Hamer with a little clay cap on their heads. Where to look first! ...View image... It was overwhelming. Beaded earrings, beaded arm bands, decorated legs, carrying, selling...
We only spent about one hour in the market because it was almost intimidating. So many good-looking men...beautiful women...children practicing their English on us...too many "things" (not made for tourists) to choose from. It was impossible to make a decision and I finally gave up. ... View image... ...Watch the video and see for yourself...
I was thrilled with my photos. It would have been impossible for anyone to take a bad one. Have you ever seen such sights? Every time I thought I had the differences between the Hamer, Banna and others down pat, Henock would correct me. ...View image... The tribes do intermarry and then it's common to wear clothing and jewelry from both tribes. No wonder I was confused...
The nicest part of the market was the chance to see the people interacting and not posing for photographs. Their once-a-week time to shop...View image..., catch up with friends, smooze and drink...
The Key Afar Market is considered to be the Number One Market To See. See it!! ...View image...
And the day wasn't over. Back in the car into Ari country. The Ari number around 12,000 and live on the northern border of Mago national Park. The women wear skirts made from the enset tree (false banana) in two sections. One section in nylon, the other cotton, but always worn together. The Ari have livestock and produce honey used for trade. In their compounds, little raised houses stored a different grain in each. For decoration, the Ari women like to wear keys on their necklaces. Any kind of key for decoration.
Today ended in Jinka at the Orit Lodge for two nights,... View image...visually exhausted but exhilarated from today's sights. Originally, we were supposed to stay one night in Jinka and camp the next night in Mago National Park but Henock thought a change would make more sense.
Whatever Henock suggested was more than okay with us. It was almost magical how Henock would drive along the road and come to a sudden stop for (what we thought was) no reason at all. There was always a purpose. The Ari woman wearing her key necklace over a Los Angeles shirt was a perfect example. ...View image...
Tomorrow, the Mursi people.
