Crown of Caps

During my time in Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, I spent an afternoon in a Mursi village. The Mursi live between the Omo and Mago rivers, raising cattle and growing crops in a harsh, beautiful landscape that shapes much of their daily life. Art and adornments play a deep role in their culture. Body decoration, beadwork, and inventive use of found materials all serve as forms of identity and pride.

That day, I met a young girl wearing a robe in shades of black and pink and a crown made entirely of metal bottle caps woven together with twine. The craftsmanship was striking.  Each piece was perfectly placed, and blended traditional sewing techniques with modern materials. It reflected both creativity and adaptation, an evolving art form that speaks to the resourcefulness of the Mursi.

As the sun began to fade, I set up a wireless strobe and lighting umbrella. A few villagers helped by holding a black sheet behind her, turning the moment into collaboration. My goal was to bring the studio to the bush and capture her with the same care I would in any portrait session.