Abyssinian Beauties

TW – 5 Oct 2008
Earlier that Sunday, Hassen had heard of a tribal beauty contest to be held that afternoon in Konso. We laughed and joked about such a treat. We had both been on the road for too long. Originally he heard it would be at one. We returned from the tribal village after two. A group of men, women, and elders in traditional costumes attracted a crowd near the cultural center. Many children had gathered in festive excitement. Before long, the hillside was covered with local people. It was apparent this remote region had few gala events. By four o’clock, a handful of security people were driving the children to the perimeter of the property around the cultural center. A van arrived with the ten young beauties. The day before Hassen had told me that to get a wife, it was necessary to give cows to her family. The contestants passed in front of us, and I pointed to one and said, “Eight cows?” then explained the ten-point rating of women. We joked about purchasing ten cows for negotiating later. The afternoon rolled into the evening. We received second-row seats and courteous nods from all involved. A professional film crew set up for the production with floodlights and cameras cluttering the view of the stage. Preparations and seating continued as the people and floodlights sent the 75-degree temp to 100 degrees, and body odors rose. My patience was tested, but my tolerance level had been given allowance over the broad travel experience I set for myself. It was after eight before the Deejay cranked up the volume, and the bash began. Too many speeches tested my resolve before the beauties took to the stage. Each contestant represented a dominant tribe in the region. Each girl had stage-time with costume and dance from her group. Our agony was over when the third lady appeared in a very revealing huntress costume. “Ten cows!” I shouted. We waited for the costuming of the final girl, nodded to our host, and slipped away into the dark. I was concerned for the 90 km ride back to Arba Minch, but most cattle had returned home from the fields.