"Arba Minch, Dorze and Chenca" Arba Minch' by sachara

Arba Minch' Travel Guide: 26 reviews and 38 photos

South of Addis Abeba we visited Arba Minch, the largest town in Southern Ethiopia with about 40.000 inhabitants.
Arba Minch lies on an escarpment at 1400 M, overlooking Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo.

From Arba Minch you can easlily visit the Nechisar National Park and the highland villages of the Dorze people.

Dorze huts

local Dorze hut and weavening

In the Guge Mountains about 35 Km from Arba Minch live the Dorze people, known of their huts, resembling giant beehives.
Along the road you see a lot of colourfully woven cloth, the best in Ethiopia.

Dorze people

When we visited Dorze and Chenca, there was a procession because of the opening of a new church.

Last visit to Arba Minch': Feb 2004
Intro Updated Jun 6, 2004
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Reviews (23)

Pounding women Local Customs (4)

Like everywhere in Africa, you see also in Ethiopia women pounding grain, plantain or cassave. At the restaurant of our... more travel advice

Luxury in African style Hotels (2)

We had allready put our tent at the campground, but because we were curious about the beehives, we asked the staff of... more travel advice

Camp or beehive with a view Hotels (2)

East of Shecha, the southern centre of Arba Minch, we spent the night at the edge of the escarpment overlooking the... more travel advice

procession, women clapping hands - Arba Minch'

The rear of the procession Favorites (8)

In the rear of the procession we saw the women. It was nice to look at those women, while they were clapping hands,... more travel advice

Shopping (2)
See All Colourful woven shammas, gabis and hats
Things to Do (6)
See All Colourful woven cotton

Restaurants (1)
Giant tilapia
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Comments (9)

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BluBluBlu Jul 9, 2006 at 2:12 AM

A really good insight! Loved the beehive huts! Blu
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JLBG May 9, 2006 at 9:46 PM

The Dorze beehive huts are impressive! I wonder why they build them so high as it does not seem that they use the top! As a heat trap? You were lucky to be there for the procession! Interesting tip on the banana bread!
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grets Sep 8, 2004 at 5:39 AM

I love they way you bring the Dorze culture to life with your explanations. What luck to see the procession.
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Bonobo2005 Jun 22, 2004 at 11:19 AM

Great impressions of the Dorze culture! I would love to try the "banana bread" and porridge! It must have been very nice to coincide with the procession; religion is something special in Africa!
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matcrazy1 Jun 18, 2004 at 6:28 PM

Fantastic page, info and amazing pictures! You are gifted to put up beautiful pages, my congratulation!
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Intrepidduck Jun 15, 2004 at 10:38 PM

Although at least a couple of years away a remarkable place to head to on my bicycle trek across Africa.
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dr.firas Jun 13, 2004 at 3:33 AM

Fantastic, after seeing Morroco I hope I'm in your same way to see the great places in Africa you've already seen Alije, I like the faces you took, it is so great :-)
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Bwana_Brown Jun 6, 2004 at 1:00 PM

An excellent and very interesting page!! Those bee-hive huts are quite something, as are the colours in their woven fabrics! I had not heard of 'enset' or 'false bananas' before. Ah, your newest Local Custom tips explain the mystery! Thanks!
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Luchonda Jun 4, 2004 at 3:33 AM

Interesting report - as always !! Greets