The Hamar a pastoralist community considered to be 65,000 live east of Omo River, and frequently travelling with their cattles and goats from settlement to settlement across the virtually barren landscape.
Famous for the distinctive, body, matted red braids, and dozens of accessories with a unique meaning. The first time seeing a Hammer living traditionally is a moment nobody forgets, and you are simply speechless and astonished by the experience. For anyone concerned about cultural preservation, curiosity arises, and you simply don’t know how to start interacting and make the experience as genuine as possible.
The women have high cheek bones, wear thick copper/metal necklaces, elaborate beads, goat-skins and their hair is often coloured with red ochre and butter. The men often use coloured clay on their hair and take real pride in their appearance and culture. Like all the tribes, they are very photogenic.
The men of the Hamar tribe are well known for their Bull Jumping ceremony. This is where a young man who wishes to marry must jump on top of a line of 10 to 20 bulls and run along their backs four times go and back in different directions, completely nude and without falling, to prove their worth to the family of the woman they intend to marry. The entire ceremony can last up to three days.
After this ceremony, the man is able to marry, own cattle, and have children. Following the bull jumping, members of the Hamar tribe will perform the Evangadi (night dancing) and enjoy a feast.
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