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View over Mago National Park |
Visiting the Mursi village |
| Fri 13th: Drove through hills to a viewpoint overlooking Mago National Park. Descended into the park, passing a few Mursi people on the way. We came to the park headquarters and drove into a clearing in the woods nearby, on the banks of the Neri River, which was to be our camp site. After unloading the tents, we drove on over a very rough road for another two hours to a Mursi village, where the people were absolutely amazing, with various styles of headdress and body paint. The women wear lip plates up to 15 cm across. Most of the men carry Kalashnikovs. They were all clamouring to have their photos taken, at 2 birr a shot. We tried to see something of their culture and way of life, but they were intent on a photo-shoot. We then drove to a nearby clearing in the woods for lunch and were watched by another group of Mursi men, women and children. James negotiated for us to take photos of the group. |
Mursi women with lip plates |
Mursi woman preparing lunch |
When we'd taken the pictures, an argument broke out, with the head man refusing to accept the agreed amount and demanding more. For a while it looked as though there would be a fight. James said he was up for it, but would they please put down the Kalashnikovs first. Eventually they gave in, accepted the agreed payment and allowed us to leave. Saw a dik-dik near the road on the way back. Had tea and biscuits, then walked down the road to the river where the drivers were washing their cars. Watched baboons crossing the road and also saw hornbills and a francolin. Returned to the camp and had a swim in the river, with biting fish nibbling at my feet in the shallows. Saw a black and white colobus monkey in the camp. Heard a hyena howling during the night. |
Mursi woman |
Mursi couple |
Mursi tribesmen, with Kalashnikovs |
Nice ear-rings |
Group photo |
Kids watching us watching them |
Washing the cars in the river |
Baboons cross the road |
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