The Dassanech live in the semi-arid land where the Omo Delta enters Lake Turkana. Their name means ‘People of the Delta’. Cattle are central to their lives, providing meat, milk, leather and status, and they too use scarification as an indicator of bravery.The tribe has absorbed a wide range of people and is now divided into eight main clans, each with its own identity and responsibilities. For example, the Galbur clan believes its members have power over water and crocodiles, and are responsible for treating diseases. One of their most important ceremonies is the Dimmi, a blessing performed when a first-born daughter reaches 8-10, to ensure her fertility in later life.
