Sunrise in Damota, Ethiopia

 

In the Damota district, 250 miles south of the capital Addis Ababa the natives live in clusters of straw huts with their immediate families, located within the village of their friends and relatives. The close proximity of the families promotes social interaction and allows them to help each other when health related assistance is needed or emergencies occur. Several generations live in a particular area and share the crops grown in the family gardens by the huts. They cook and keep warm by a fire inside the hut. The smell of burning wood is a constant characteristic of Ethiopia. These people are very gentle and caring by nature. They work together as a community.

© Catherine Bauknight 2000