Ethiopian villages

We timed a September Ethiopia trip so that we would hit local market days in the south. We visited the Key Afer Thursday market, the Dimeka Saturday market and the Konso Monday market.

Key Afer and Dimeka were fascinating for both the goods displayed and the people (Tsemai, Benna and Hamer peoples) buying and selling the goods. The Konso market was not as interesting.

We also visited two tribal villages. A long, rough drive to see the Karo ethnic group was rewarded with views of a scenic village on a lovely site overlooking the Omo River. The Karo, with their body paint and other decorations, were quite exotic.

NELL Q. McCOMBS

Ventura, CA