Another excursion we thoroughly enjoyed from Turmi was a visit to the stunningly beautiful villages of the Arbore people on the northern edge of Lake Chew Bahir (or Lake Stephanie as it is sometimes known). After a spectacular drive through the Buska mountains, following the Keske River, we reached the vast expanses of Lake Chew Bahir where we started to meet Arbore livestock herders on the side of the road.

We were only able to meet with the people of one particular Arbore village (the other two are off-limits to general tourism) but we were instantly mesmerised by the architectural nature of Arbore huts, their large domed structures abutted by piles of tied Papyrus reeds that had been collected from the lake to use as fodder for livestock. Legend has described that the devil once visited the Arbore people but they fought him off so now the Arbore are largely left to live alone, free from conflict with the neighbouring tribes who both fear and revere them for their strength.

Arbore women adorn themselves with black headscarves and beautiful jewellery fashioned from spirals of silver and brightly coloured beads. They are not only beautiful, they are also incredibly friendly. Visiting them for a morning was an absolute highlight of our trip. Their beauty was simply mesmerising.