Suri is a collective name for three ethnic groups (Chai, Timaga, and Baale) mainly living in Suri woreda, in southwestern Ethiopia. They share many similarities politically, territorially and culturally, economically but speak different languages. They all speak South East Surmic languages within the Nilo-Saharan language family, which includes the Mun, Majang, and Me'en people's languages.
Overview
The term Suri is a collective name for Chai, Timaga, and Baale as expressed in the label "Suri woreda" (= lower administrative district) in southwestern Ethiopia, bordering South Sudan. The 2007 national Ethiopian census figures for ethnic groups distinguish "Suri" from "Mursi" and "Me'enit" (singular of Me'en). Some authors have used the terms "Suri" and "Surma" interchangeably, or for contradictory purposes.
The Suri are an agro-pastoral people and inhabit part of the South western Ethiopia of West Omo Zone Suri woreda in Ethiopia,while the other groups live partly in neighbouring South Sudan. The Suri population was 20,622 in 1998 (census est.) and ca. 32,000 in 2016. The Suri are culturally similarly related to the Mursi.
Shared culture
The Suri groups share a similar culture and show social and historical kinship with the Mursi and Me'en groups. Their homeland is relatively remote, located in semi-arid plains, valleys and foothills.
The Suri have liking for stick fighting called saginé. More properly called "ceremonial duelling", this serves as a rite of passage for young men and brings great prestige; it is especially important when seeking a bride. Such duels are very competitive, at the risk of serious injury and occasional death.
At a young age, to beautify themselves for marriage, most women have their bottom teeth removed and their bottom lips pierced then stretched, so as to allow insertion of a clay lip plate. Some women have stretched their lips so as to allow plates up to sixteen inches in diameter. Increasing with exposure to other cultures, however, a growing number of girls now refrain from this practice. Their children are sometimes painted with (protective) white clay paint, which may be dotted on the face or body.
Suri villages normally range in size from 40 to 1,000 people, but a few may reach 2,500 people. Suri life is egalitarian. The Suri "chiefs" (called komoru) have a ritual function and are merely the most respected elders and have no executive powers. They are elected from within a certain clan lineages. Few Surma are familiar with Amharic, the official language of Ethiopia, and their literacy level is relatively low. In recent decades, however, schools have been built and the number of literate Suri is growing, with several now working in the local administration's district capital and others studying in various towns.
History
According to Suri oral tradition, they came from the Boma Plateau, Omo valley, and Gobi of Maji plateau to their present territory about 200 years ago. First they came to the Akobo (eastwards from the Blue Nile); then they moved in four directions, to the lower part of Kidhoa Bo of mewun to the Boma Mountain and the upper part from Gobi maji Plateau and the Omo valley of the Omo river to the mountain shologoy. These migrants also absorbed local groups. Since the late 1890s, the Suri were harassed by the Ethiopian imperial troops and northern settlers. As a result of this politico-economically driven harassment, numerous Suri went to the Boma Plateau in south Sudan, especially after 1925. In the 1980s the Suri people smuggled automatic weapons from Sudan.