The formation of ethnic identity in South Omo: the Dassenech

Ethnic identity among the Dassenech, a group in South Omo, Ethiopia, has been shaped by historical migrations and absorptions triggered by environmental stressors. Oral traditions reveal that ecological disasters, such as droughts or floods, have historically driven population movements, leading to the assimilation of newcomers into existing clans. These mechanisms of identity shift remain relevant today, with contemporary violence and rapid change drawing on these traditions. However, evidence after 1925 is scarce, raising questions about whether the Dassenech can still adapt to modern environmental crises, such as those posed by the Gilgel Gibe dams on the Omo River. The study synthesizes oral histories and historical records to explore these dynamics, highlighting the resilience and fluidity of ethnic identity in response to ecological pressures.

Sobania, N. (2011). The formation of ethnic identity in South Omo: the Dassenech. Journal of Eastern African Studies, 5(1), 195–210. https://doi.org/10.1080/17531055.2011.544542