www.womanthismonth.com 35 September 2015 MINGI CHILDREN Many of the river tribes are still extremely superstitious believing evil spirits or a curse will bring bad fortune such as drought, famine, disease or death if they do not kill, so called “Mingi” children who are born in the village. Children can be considered Mingi for various reasons such as being born out of wedlock or from a marriage or pregnancy that has not been sanctioned by the village elders, children whose top teeth come through before their bottom ones and twins. Traditionally, all these children should be killed. However, Sawsan visited the organisation Omo Child which saves, educates and rehabilitates these children, giving them a chance at a normal life. g KARA TRIBE The Kara live in a unique location on the banks of the Omo River and, again, white paint is used from childhood to ward off evil spirits. Colourful beads and cloths are used to designate position and family association and to attract the opposite sex. Women scar their chests, believing it makes them look beautiful. Men’s scars represent foes or dangerous animals killed. On the outskirts of the village they had built huts for food storage, the only one of the tribes to do so. Sawsan says: “I found the Kara to be the friendliest of the tribes we visited, perhaps they are more used to visitors. But I was sad, when we were leaving to see a school building but when I asked our guide he explained that many of the children don’t go to school as they are needed to fetch water, watch the animals or other tasks. Those that do go to school often run out when they hear a vehicle coming as they know the visitors will give them gifts and, sometimes, money.”
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