Mursi

Mursi nationality is mainly found in Salamago district. From their history the Mursi are believed to come from the South West direction from the current Benchi_Maji zone from an area called Kibesh. The nationalitys language Mursi is from Nilo-Saharatic language family. It is similar to Surma.
They live in lowland. Their main livelihood is rearing cattle and goats. They also till the ground by using the loam (fertile soil) brought by Omo rivers erosion.
The two main tribes of the Mursi are Kutama and Shaka. There are sub-tribes which are not less than four under these two tribes.

Cultural Administration System

Mursis have four cultural administrative systems. They are Kumuru, Koyse, Herhato and Kamisi. Kumuru is the king and spiritual leader. He is elected from Kumarite and Kumay tribes(subtribes?). He rules the people. When public appeals are presented to him by the elderly he slaughters an ox, a cow or a goat. He watches the intestine of the animal and implores his creator so as to bring rain and eradication of epidemic.
Koyse is the kings advisor and charge de affair. He blesses the land by slaughtering a goat when a new ground is tilled for the crop to be fruitful. He performs a cultural ceremony and anoints patients with a special mud and his own saliva for their cure.
Herhato is a dreamer and prophet. In addition to prophesying the coming of evil and good eras, he presents ideas generated from himself and of his inferiors called the Kamisis. He gives guidance for performing orders (ceremonies) for the implementation of his prophesy and dreams. Then the order is implemented after a cattle is chosen and its intestine seen.
The other on the structure is Kamisi. It is in the lowest hierarchy of authority. It channels the public and the ruling elite. It also is believed to interest the public to the creator.
The passing of power of the king is based on genealogy. When the king dies his brother is given priorities to become a king. The public and the elderly have the right to give opinion on the competencies and incompetencies of the heir. They have the authority to keep the incompetent not to become the king.
When conflicts occur among members of the nationality and neighboring nationalities different orders are implemented for resolution.

Cultural Game

The Mursis have a cultural club rattling game called Dunga. It is a play which causes body injury and death on the players. Adolescent are organized and well feed for this game. Their supporters encourage them by flattering and dancing. After the game is held in each neighbourhood, winner of winner championship is held. The winner is given prize by the landlord. A girl impressed by the bravity of the winner, takes of her own ornament and gives it to him to tie it on his neck so as to make him her fiancee.