The Kara are a semi-nomadic tribe, and one of the smallest ethnic groups in the Omo Valley with a population between 4500 – 5000 people’s lives at three big permanent villages Known as:(Korcho ,Dus as well as Labuk )which all set at the eastern shore of the Omo River. It is thought that previously the Kara and the Banna were part of the same tribe, which then separated in search for better land and water resources. Due to this history, the Omotic language of the Kara people is linguistically very similar to that of the Benna.

The Kara were previously herdsmen who relied on cattle until a disease wiped out many of their herds, and they were forced to adapt to fishing and cultivation to survive. As a result, they developed agricultural techniques to grow corn, beans, and pumpkins, relying upon the flooding of the Omo River each year to replenish the soil with nutrients.

Kara is known for their creative and decorative body chalk painting. Many of the Kara women have pierced lips and insert nails, flowers and pins.

They also have a unique fishing method, using long spears to pierce the fish. Only single young men can fish, and they must carry out a purification ritual afterwards because fishing was previously seen as taboo.

Clothing is simple, usually leather or fabric skirts, with more attention placed on bracelets and necklaces worn by both men and women. Also, hairstyles form an important part of the Kara culture, with men’s hair being braided, coloured, and decorated in elaborate styles with beads, feathers, and flowers.

Culturally, the most important ritual for the Kara tribe is that of bull jumping, which is very similar to the same tradition of the Hamar tribe to mark a boy reaching manhood. During ceremonies, the Kara paint their bodies with designs using white chalk, black coal, and yellow and red minerals. They also practice scarification, where the skin is deliberately cut to produce a raised scarring effect that is seen to have an aesthetic appeal for women, and signal achievements of men such as killing an enemy or a dangerous animal.