The OMO river of Ethiopia like many other African countries is a multi-ethnic state, the name of the ethnic groups vary.

The people of the lower Omo valley from polygamous societies which follow the paternal line, they have strict regulation for marriages between groups, subgroups, sub-clans or different clans to prevent the ill effects of bearing children in a marriage of people too closely related. Generally, groups are divided into two parts. Several clans are responsible for established conjugal unions between both sides. In other cases, the union between different ethno-cultural groups is established in both directions or in one direction only. For example, if there is any conjugal union between Tsamako and Banna people, it always is a Tsamako woman marrying a Banna man, never the other way around.

A simple linguistic classification can be used as a reference point to order the vast number of names of the peoples of the Omo. The entire Omo region is inhabited by ethno-cultural groups pertaining to two important linguistic lines. First one, Nilo-Saharan: Nyangatom (Bume), Mursi, Surma

Second one, Afro-Asiatic: Omotics- Karo, Banna, Hamar, Dizi Eastern Cushitic – Dassanetch.

The Mursi live in the far southwest of Ethiopia, about 100 km north of the Kenyan border, in the valley of the River Omo. They number less than 10,000 and are one of the last groups in Africa amongst whom it is still the norm for women to wear large pottery or wooden ‘plates’ in their lower lips.

The Konso inhabit an isolated region of basaltic hills –essentially an extension of the southern highlands –set at altitudes of 1500-2000m, and flanked to the east by the semi –desert Borena lowlands and to the west by the equally harsh lower Omo valley.

Hamer people are one of the most known Omo Valley tribes in South Ethiopia Cultural tourism destination. They inhabit the territory east of the Omo River and with the main settlement in Turmi and Dimeka. They are cattle herders and practice agriculture. Very colorful bracelets and beads are worn in their hair and around their waists and arms.

The Nyangatom live in the dry, semi-desert lands of south-west Ethiopia and southern Sudan, where their lives revolve around their herds of zebu cattle and raising crops including sorghum, maize and tobacco.

The Karo tribes living along the borders of the lower Omo River incorporate rich, cultural symbolism in to their rituals by using ornate body art, intricate headdresses, and body scarification to express beauty and significance within their community. This lively tribe of around 2000 people is the main sedentary agriculturalist group in the lower Omo valley area of southern Ethiopia.