Ethiopia’s Surma and Mursi tribes in the southwest Omo River
valley region present a unique perspective on self-expression in the African
style. As a result of their nomadic
lifestyle, location near lush vegetation, and inventive nature, tribe members
have taken body painting and adornment to a new level of creativity which has
inspired the color palette for ethniciti collections.
Sophisticated
color palette
Colors taken
directly from nature, the various strata of rock in the vast Rift Valley
geologic formation, yield subtle shades of ochre, red, pure white, off white,
and light gray. Green is obtained from
stone found in the riverbed. The canvas
for this sophisticated mixture of colors is the flesh of the tribe members, a
reddish, copper hue, lighter in shade and more reflective of light rays
compared to the darker skin of the Ugandans, Kenyans, and Sudanese to the south
and west.
