The Lower Omo Valley is one of the most ethnically diverse parts of Africa. It is a land of warriors, hunters and nomads whose distinct age-old lifestyles are being changed by the outside world. Still, they are people whose daily existence and ways of life are ruled by traditions. South Omo possesses various natural and historical resources and attractions such as tunnels, waterfalls, wide and large forests and historical sites. However, the day-to-day life of the South Omo ethnic groups is truly the heart and soul of the valley. Special ritual ceremonies include ukuli or cattle jumping by Hamar and Banna men as a rite of passage ceremony, keal which is the Bodi fatness competition and donga, the Mursi stick fight competition. The South Omo zone is home to more than 16 ethnic groups whose populations number between 1,000 and 300,000 people each. The natural customs and environments of all these inhabitants are varied. The South Omo ethnic groups include: Ari, Arbore, Bacha, Banna, Bodi, Brile (Ongota), Dassanech, Dime, Hamar, Kara, Kwegu, Maale, Murle, Mursi, Nyangatom, and Tsemay. Each group has their own language belonging to one of the three language families:

Nilotic languages are spoken by Bodi, Kwegu, Murle, Mursi and Nyangatom.

Omotic languages are spoken by Ari, Banna, Bashada, Dime, Hamar, Kara and Maale.

Cushitic languages are spoken by Arbore, Brile, Dassanech and Tsemay.