Primary identities in the lower Omo valley: migration, cataclysm, conflict and amalgamation, 1750–1910

Ethnic identities in the Lower Omo Valley emerged from two key patterns of movement between 1750 and 1910: organized pastoralist migrations and downstream river movements. These shifts, linked to East African cataclysms like floods and epidemics, reshaped local demographics, leading to assimilation and the disappearance of some primary groups. The study reveals that 'clusters' of interacting peoples in high-interaction localities were crucial nodes for cultural identity formation. By analyzing historical records and migration patterns, it demonstrates how external disruptions and ecological opportunities shaped current ethnic identities.

Bassi, M. (2011). Primary identities in the lower Omo valley: migration, cataclysm, conflict and amalgamation, 1750–1910. Journal of Eastern African Studies, 5(1), 129–157. https://doi.org/10.1080/17531055.2011.552280