Living Africa by Steve Bloom Photography

Hamar woman, Omo Valley, Ethiopia
A young woman from the Hamar tribe attends the Dimeka market. In the past, the blue beads in her traditional head band and necklace had more than an aesthetic function; they were also used as a form of currency between neighbours and tribes. Held weekly, the Dimeka market is a place where a number of different tribes meet to trade, notably the Hamar and Karo.

Living Africa - Steve Bloom expresses the essence and the diversity of this gigantic continent. From the tallest sand dunes in the world to the swirling markets of Ethiopia to the windswept rocks and gullies of South Africa‘s Table Mountain, he captures the colours and cultures of Africa today. 236 photographs of Africa‘s peoples and wildlife encapsulate the vibrancy of tribal traditions and the beauty of the landscape. In a series of essays, Bloom combines vivid personal experience with a passionate articulation of the challenges faced by Africa‘s people and environment in the 21st century. Everywhere is apparent his deep affection and affinity for the continent where he grew up, and to which he has felt compelled to return throughout his life.

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Karo gathering - Omo Valley, Ethiopia
Karo people differentiate themselves from neighbouring tribes by excelling in body painting. They use ochre, chalk, charcoal and pulverised mineral rock to achieve a variety of colours which include orange, white, black, yellow and red. Body artists use vibrant designs to accentuate fine facial features and enhance their graceful movements.

Suri woman - Omo Valley, Ethiopia
A woman is caught unawares while playing with her lower lip, stretched to accommodate a lip plate.