Suri mother with her young baby Southern Ethiopia, 2017

This is Muca, a warrior from the Karo tribe. Automatic weapons (AK-47's) are a common sight around the Omo Valley. Tribal men use this weapon to protect their cattle from other attacking tribes. The complete scarification of a man's chest indicates that he has killed an enemy or a dangerous animal. The scars are cut with a knife or razor blade and ash is rubbed in to produce a raised effect. The wearing of a grey and ochre clay hair bun also indicates the killing of an enemy or a dangerous animal. Both forms of decoration carry the same symbolic meaning for the Karo as they do for the Hamar. Omo valley, south Ethiopia, 2013.