Key Afer Market Travel Guide: Top Sights in Ethiopia, Tours & Travel

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Key Afer Market- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Historical & Cultural; Ethiopia; 5 Reviews

Suggested Duration: 2 hours

Key Afer Market, located in the remote Lower Omo Valley of Ethiopia, is a once‑weekly gathering (every Thursday from roughly 10 am to 6 pm) where members of the Banna, Tsemay and Ari tribes converge to trade goods ranging from cattle and grains to beeswax, jewelry and intricate beadwork. The market remains one of the few places where traditional bartering endures alongside cash sales, offering vivid insight into tribal social structures and inter‑community exchange. Set against the backdrop of arid landscapes and tribal settlements, it offers travelers a rare chance to observe living customs—from craftwork patterns to ceremonial adornments—while sampling local produce and tribal cuisine.

Operators offering tours in Ethiopia

Attractions in Omo Valley

Mago National Park

Omo National Park

Turmi

Jinka

Reviews of Key Afer Market

Degu Ethiopia Tours (Degu ashenafi)

5
Reviewed: 2024-07-29

The colorful market in South lower omo valley Ethiopian tribal weekly makert, that the market makes very unique and colorful beautiful three tribes are join on that market day on Thursday, the market always start up at 10am and ends at 5:30am, we had the great time in the markte, visit beautiful lower omo valley tribal colorful market,
Arone Tamene

5
Reviewed: 2020-01-23

Keyafer market is one of the biggest market. In this market you will find different trbes like Banna, Tsemay as well as Ari. I will highly recommend!
Haila Dewit

5
Reviewed: 2020-01-22

Key Afer market is one of the oldest tribal social service market every Thursday,between the tribes of Banna,Tsemay and Ari.
Reiner Hildebrand

3
Reviewed: 2018-12-23

Little market of the Hamer people. Worth visiting a short stop if on your way.
Solomon Gezu

5
Reviewed: 2017-08-07

This is a place where you will attend one of the most colorful markets in Omo Valley. It takes place once in a week every Thursday starting from 11:00am till late afternoon. In this market you will witness how the economics of an isolated society from civilization with the rest of the world is governed. This is one of the few places on earth where still bartering activity is practiced. This is a wonderful and lively place not to be missed when you come to the omo valley area. It is located some 206Kms from Arbaminch and a 4-5 hours drive where you can reach at the right time when the market is warm; it is also 42Kms before Jinka and for those of you who are already in Jinka on Wednesday night you can visit the Mursi village by driving through Mago National park early in the morning and drive back to Key Afer to reach around noon or an hour late. I gave this place a 5 star because it deserves!!!!!!