Omo: Expressions of a People

Ethiopia’s sun-baked Omo Valley, an area recognized by scientists as the cradle of humankind, is home to a rich variety of semi-nomadic ethnic groups. Diverse in many respects but linked by their shared migration paths, these groups lead a way of life that is both colorful and austere, and is a place of vibrant, age-old traditions. Physical attractiveness is held in extremely high regard; men and women alike ornament their bodies in strikingly beautiful ways. Bracelets, necklaces, and headdresses are treasured and worn with pride. Beautification practices are encouraged as a way for an individual to establish his or her identity within the community. Rooted within such celebrations of individuality is a larger, perhaps classical, idea of beauty—one that speaks to worlds beyond the immediate context of southern Ethiopia.

Drew Doggett tells extraordinary stories of diverse cultures, animals, and communities through a fashion-inspired lens. He has received 120+ prestigious international awards and has had his artwork featured in many publications such as Conde Nast Traveler, Architectural Digest, Forbes, Bloomberg, Fortune, and Outside Magazine. His photographic work can be found in public collections globally, notably the Smithsonian African Art Museum (DC), as well as in hundreds of corporate and private collections in over 20 countries around the world including the Four Seasons (HI) and the Waldorf Astoria.