Hamer Tribe of omo Valley, Ethiopia

The Hamer are a renowned Tribe of Omo Valley, particularly for their Women’s Striking hairstyles, and having the friendliest Tribe in Omo Valley, Ethiopia. The people mainly live in the Hamer Land. It shares borders with Kenya to the south, Chew Bahir to the east, Bena Land in the north, and Omo River to the west. The Bena, Stemaya, Arbore, Karo, Dasenech, Karo, and Gnangatom tribes are neighbors to them. Today there are around 50,000 Hamer people.

According to prominent elders of the tribe, The Hamer was created by a mix of different tribes. “Hamer” means “Mixed group of people who live between mountains and rocks”. This ancient oral legend continues, the Hamer previously resided in a mountainous region and between mountains before settling in the present areas.

The Hamer Tribes’ Culture and Way of Life

The land is communal and owned by the community. Economically hammer families make their living as successful cattle herders and farmers. Cattle and goats are at the heart of Hamer’s life. They also cultivate sorghum and some vegetables, and keep honey hives.

Hamer Tribes Villages

In Hamer Villages, an Extended family member lives together in a nearby hut. They live in a typically circular hut and build fences for their Animals in open space. Their home is simple, made from sticks and grass-roofed. For ventilation and to ward off bed bugs and termites, they avoid plastering the walls.

Their staple food is a kind of Porage and bread made of sorghum and Maize. They also consume Pumpkin and Moringa Leaves. They tend to love to drink a traditional Bear Called Persie and Ala a drink made of Honey.

Hamers live in a polygamous society. A Hamer man can have many wives. The other wife may have Another Hut in a nearby area. When the Hammer family eats, It is The Father who eats first. The mother eventually eats alone, sometimes with her children. However, the elders say that Tradition forbids the man from eating with his first son.

There are several ways of Mariage. The first and main marriage in the Hamer tribes is the one arranged by families. the boy’s family chose the son’s wife. Hereditary marriages, upon the death of the older brother the younger brother inherits his wife and her assets. This is mainly to protect family and property. There are also consensual marriages, kidnapping marriages and substitute marriages.

Bull Jumping Rites of Passage

Bull Jumping is a rite of passage that initiates Hamer boys into adulthood. It is the most important event in the Hamer Boy and was performed for three long days. On the last day the Jumper family relatives, women sing and Dance and get prepared to be beaten with a stick. It is a ritual part of the ceremony to show their love and alliance to the boy. The women usually ask to be whipped with a stick on their back till it leaves a big bloody Scar. Then the Jumper Boy will come out from the Bush naked. All the families wait for the big moment. The Boy must Jump a line of 8 Bulls to be considered a Man. If he fails it brings shame to the Family.

A woman’s work: The Hammer women do all the House chores, cooking, cleaning, fetching water, looking after the children, growing crops, farming, and going to the Market.

Man’s work:  The young Boys took care of the cattle, helped look after harvests, and looked after the goats. Adult men could stay away from home for a long time in the wild, herding livestock. They also plow the land and make beehives.

Appearance of Hamer tribes  

Appearance hairstyles and Jewelry are a significant personal adornment to the lives of the Hamer tribes showing marital status, age, wealth, and social status within the tribes.

Hamer Women make a Dread Lock to make themselves attractive by twisting and rolling their locks with butter, Reisen, and red ochre. They adorned their body with bracelets, red and black Beads, and Necklaces. Married Women Wear Thick Copper Necklace. Hamer women wear traditional clothing suitable for the hot semi-arid climate of the Omo Valley generally consisting of a simple skirt type of clothing made from goat Skin.

Men generally shave their heads in a circle apart from a small portion of on the crown where they make clay Bun then paint it and decorate it with Ostrich Feather. They Wear bracelets, red and black decorated Beads. They usually carry a small wood called Berkota used to Seat on or used as a Headrest when they sleep, so the Head Calp stays safe for a long.  Men usually wear a simple textile just to cover their body or young boys may be seen naked in the wild with goats.

 Events and celebrations in Hamer

Totoro

“Tortoro” is a traditional festival celebrated by the Hamer people once a year. It is celebrated in early June during the harvest season. It is celebrated with parties and dances. The main participants of the dance are married young adults and old men and women, and the role of unmarried youths and teenagers is limited to organizing and hosting the party.

 “Evangadi”

Young Hamer Men’s and Girls organize a traditional Moon night dance called Evangandi. It is held once every three days in the villages of Hamer. Evangadi is a traditional dance to entertain the weary mind and body during the harvest season.