The Hamer are pastoralists (shepherds) in South Ethiopia. They are best known for their tradition of "bull jumping," which transforms a boy into an adult man. The boy must run at least four times (corresponding to the four teats of an cow udder) back and forth across the backs of a row of bulls in this ceremony - a pretty exhausting and stressful endeavor) .
Female relatives (from the father's side) dance for hours during this ceremony and get whipped from men who have recently been initiated. Remaining scars on their backs are proudly presented afterwards.
More info about the Hamer people here.
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A mixture of butter and red ocher (natural clay earth pigment) is used to style hair |
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Flying Hamer hair during dancing |
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Bells tied to the legs are used during dancing ceremonies |
Technology (i.e., cell phones) is coming into Hamer villages |
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Women during a dance ceremony: jumping is an important part |
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Bells fixed to the legs are used as music instruments |
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Whipping is part of the bull jumping ceremony |
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Whipping during the bull jumping ceremony |
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Whipping is part of the bull jumping ceremony |
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Traditional 'decoration' of aunts during the bull jumping ceremony |
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Family members preparing for the main event: bull jumping |
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At least four times a boy has to jump across the backs of a row of bulls |
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A boy turns into a man during the bull jumping ceremony |
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Exhausting business - running across the backs of a row of bulls |
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A typical traditional Hamer home |
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A gate of a Hamer property |
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Goat BBQ Hamer style |
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Young Hamer girl with traditional loincloth |
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Hamer elder with traditional hairstyle |
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Goat on a stick - Hamer-style grilling |
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Decorating legs with goat poop - why not!?! |
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Hamer men start dancing |
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Heating water for the local beer |
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Hamer women tries to touch a man to indicate she is interested in him |
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Hamer-typical beaded necklaces |
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Hamer women get ready to dance |
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Traditional dance: jumping men - approaching women |
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Traditional dance: jumping men - approaching women |
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Traditional dance: jumping men - approaching women |
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Goat meat almost ready to eat |
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