​​​ Lost Paradises - Africa - Indian Ocean 

ETHIOPIA - Omo Valley

Karo Tribe (Kara)

The Karo or Kara is a small tribe with an estimated population between 2,000 and 3,000.  They live along the east banks of the Omo River in southern Ethiopia and practice flood retreat cultivation.  The crops that are grown by them are sorghum, maize and beans.

Like many of the tribes in the Omo, they paint their bodies and faces with white chalk to prepare for a ceremony.  The chalk is mixed with yellow rock, red iron ore and charoal to make its color. Red clay mixed with butter is put into their hair and clothing is made from animal skin.