Omo Child

2016 • 89 minutes

About this movie

In Ethiopia's Omo valley, children are being killed horrifically under an ancient tradition known as 'mingi'. Teeth growing in a certain order can bring a child a death sentence. One young tribesman strives for change through education and adopting the cursed children. But challenging tribal superstition isn't easy and as he battles to save lives, things are not all that they seem. This clever film will stay with you long after you watch it. Under Kara tradition, any child born with the feared mingi curse must be sacrificed. "Every mingi child must be killed. We do this for the protection of our people" explains Dore Akir, leader of the Kara. A baby is Mingi if it is born out of wedlock, without the blessing of the elders, or it its teeth emerge in a specific order, and any child with the curse is sacrificed shortly after birth, or often left to die in the forest.

This practice of killing mingi children is ingrained in the Kara culture, and has taken place for generations. But now Lale Labuko, one of the first of the tribe to receive a formal education, has returned to the village to end the practice and save the 'cursed' children.

Ratings and reviews

It documentary is inspiring . It makes me think "fight the good fight". Ignorance ; the protector of superstition ; religous persecution and oppression. Seeing it helped me to see there are no ''good" guys or "bad" guys. It's dogma born of ignorance among a loving and caring people. The hero is a patient thoughtful man , who sparked a revolution in the thinking , feeling , and ways in a whole culture . This documentary is done without histeria and sensationalism ,keeping it real and hiding nothing; by a man who loves his tribe enough to show them the truth of their misunderstanding. It's clear to me that to inspire change in others for the betterment of humanity is one of the most sacred services a person can do.

Fascinating story of a people! I wish I could have it on DVD. It's not often I'm able to catch Afropop, but tonight I caught it on WHUT, a PBS station broadcast from Howard University in Washington, DC, and I must say I was totally enthralled. It didn't happen at once, during my first attempt to watch it in that I was involved in something else with it playing in the background. I rewound my DVR several times before with intent, until something caught my ear, and I paid more attention to the details in the dialogue of the subtitles. I started it from the beginning once more. I was swept away as the story unfolded with my undivided attention. It was both enlightening, horrifying, and breathtaking. To think such a practice and belief in such a superstition can exist for generations. Yet, it made me reflect on our own past, our history, the stories of people in the United States. I highly recommend this viewing for all who have any interest in cultural heritages other than their own, and the humanity in which we all must will. Amen.

I can't say enough in praise of this film, its initiator Lale, and a God whose longing to bless bursts forth towards the humble hearts that risk much to experimentally approach a radical shift in thinking and behaving. This film stands as a witness to the truth that change IS possible. As an American, this movie challenged me to review my own traditions asking the question: "what is valuable and good, and what needs relinquishing or revising?" Lale fills the role of prophet in a most invitational way. His love for his people does NOT overlook their faults. Instead, his great love for the Kara people desires their good-- the removal of a hurtful belief and accompanying practice. His approach is thoroughly Christlike-- loving, sacrificial, defying "practical" wisdom, hoping all things, encouraging, inviting. I can honestly say that viewing this film was a landmark moment in my life.