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Travel Diary Ep.1 / Our Journey with the Karo Tribe

December 11, 2024

Our Journey with the Karo Tribe: A Story of Art, Culture, and Connection

When we, Laura Davis and Katja Schutte, first set out on our journey to Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, we knew it would be special—but nothing prepared us for the profound connection and inspiration we’d experience. This is one of our stories with the Karo Tribe. As founders of Honor The Tribes, our mission has always been to celebrate tribes - African artistry - and co-create with the incredible people who keep these traditions alive.


The Karo Tribe, known for their breathtaking body painting traditions, amazed us with their artistic vision and creativity. Together, we worked on a collection of four unique rugs and wall hangings inspired by their iconic use of bold colors and intricate patterns. Each piece tells a story, capturing the essence of their culture and bringing it to life in a way that bridges tradition and modern design.


One moment stands out as a true highlight of our collaboration. While working on the first rug, the artist poured his heart into every detail. Using white paint reminiscent of their body art, he transformed the canvas into something truly stunning. When we saw it, we couldn’t hide our excitement—“It’s perfect!” we said. “You’re done!”

But he didn’t want to stop. For him, the process of creating was just as important as the final result. His passion was contagious, and we admired his dedication. After some laughter and reassurance that the rug was indeed finished, he finally agreed. Then, to our surprise, he went to clean his paint-covered hands on the rug itself—as if it were a towel!


In that moment, we couldn’t help but laugh.


It was such a perfect example of the cultural differences we encounter in our work. To him, the rug was still a canvas, not yet a finished piece of art. Thankfully, with the help of our translator, we explained that this was the final masterpiece, not something to wipe hands on. He laughed with us, and the understanding we shared made the moment even more special.


The experience didn’t end there. His enthusiasm led him to create another rug—a more subtle, quieter design that was just as beautiful. These are the moments we treasure most in our work: the joy of co-creation, the blending of perspectives, and the sheer fun of navigating cultural differences together.


Now, we’re thrilled to share these pieces with you. You can explore the collection on our website: Honor The Tribes – Karo Collection. Each rug and wall hanging is more than art—it’s a story, a connection, and a celebration of the Karo Tribe’s incredible heritage.


Want to see more of this journey? We captured it all in a short film, and you can watch it
here on YouTube. It’s a glimpse into the world of the Karo Tribe and the artistry that inspired this collection.


We’d love to hear your thoughts—what does it mean to you to bring a piece of another culture’s story into your home?
Let us know in the comments, and thank you for being part of this journey with us.

Together, we can honor the tribes, celebrate their creativity, and keep their traditions alive.


For more information or inquiries about our Karo Tribe collection, please feel free to contact us:


📞 WhatsApp: +254795525021 📧 Email: info@honorthetribes.com 🌐 Website: www.honorthetribes.com


We would love to hear from you and help you bring a piece of the Karo Tribe's artistry into your space!

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