Omo: Expressions of a People- Untitled 44

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 tribes. Diverse in many respects but linked by their shared migration paths, these so-called “forgotten people,” as they were once known, lead a way of life that is both colorful and austere. Herdsmen and their families keep cattle as they have for centuries, consuming just enough food to sustain themselves and sometimes enduring months of drought. There is an emphasis in Omo culture on strength and physicality, as well as youth and beauty. Even at a tender age, this Suri boy conveys the confidence, self-sustainability and independent spirit that the people of this region have cherished and preserved for centuries.

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.