Omo Valley Portraits

The Omo Valley in Ethiopia is a hub of ethnic diversity, home to indigenous tribes like the Suri, whose traditions remain untouched by colonization. Each portrait captures their vibrant designs, using natural light to evoke a sense of harmony and balance.

The Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia is one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the world, home to several indigenous tribes, each with distinct customs and traditions. Many of these communities have preserved their centuries-old ways of life, untouched by colonization. Among them is the Suri tribe, known for their remarkable use of flowers in their attire.

Documentary photographer Matilde Simas has traveled extensively to shed light on complex global issues such as sex trafficking and forced marriage. Since joining the Limb Kind Foundation as a staff photographer in 2018, Matilde has documented their efforts to provide prosthetic limbs to victims of trauma and violence across Africa. In the spring of 2022, following an assignment with Limb Kind, Matilde traveled with an interpreter to the Omo Valley to capture the extraordinary self-adornment traditions of the indigenous tribes.

From her tent by the Omo River, Matilde immersed herself in the rhythms of daily life, photographing the intricate beauty of the Suri people. Her primary goal was to create a visual record of their practices, preserving their unique culture through her lens. She observed women and children grinding rocks and flowers to create face paint and adornments, blending into their environment with care and respect. Each portrait in the series highlights the vibrant design elements of lines, shapes, colors, and textures, all captured through natural lighting to evoke a sense of harmony and balance.