Suri People of the Omo Valley, Ethiopia, 2023

I loved how even the sunlight seemed to be part of this young Suri girl’s colorful ensemble of seed pods, leaves, wild tomatoes, and other natural elements from the Omo Valley’s landscape. The elaborate headdresses of flowers, fruits, and even pottery that the Suri women wore were each incredibly unique. Every woman had her own unique style, interwoven with traditional paint and intricately carved earrings or lip plates. Although historically, the women of the Omo Valley reserved such colorful regalia for special occasions, in recent years, they have found ways to supplement their income by sharing their culture with visitors.