Woito

Woito

Woito is one of the main villages of the Tsemay people. The Tsemay people are an ethnic group of southwestern Ethiopia, inhabiting the area of the Omo Valley, which extends along the western bank of the Weito River, called Dulaika in the Tsemay language, an arid region characterized by a torrid climate. They speak a Cushitic language called Tsamai, which belongs to the Dullay languages and is related to the Bussa and Gawwada languages. Of all the ethnic groups present in the Omo Valley, the Tsemay are one of the smallest, with a population of no more than 5,000 people. They are primarily pastoralists, relying on livestock for subsistence, but they also cultivate crops to take advantage of periodic river flooding. The Tsemay are skilled honey collectors, both wild and from hives near their villages, as are the Banna. Among the Tsemay, jewelry is very significant, the men wear bracelets, necklaces and headbands made with colorful beads, the women also have numerous accessories, and their clothing is heavily adorned with beads and shells. The social status of Tsemay women is indicated by their clothing and hairstyles. The Tsemay live in an area that is a popular destination for adventure tours, and are therefore a people who are often the subject of photographs.