Who Are the Hamar?
The Hamar (also Hamer) are an agropastoralist people of southwestern Ethiopia's Omo Valley, numbering approximately 50,000. They speak Hamar, a South Omotic language. The Hamar are part of the remarkable cultural diversity of the Omo Valley, home to numerous small ethnic groups with distinctive traditions. They are famous for the bull jumping ceremony (ukuli), an initiation ritual that has become a major attraction for ethnographic tourism. The Hamar territory lies in one of Ethiopia's most remote and least developed regions.
Bull Jumping Ceremony
The ukuli (bull jumping) ceremony marks the transition of young Hamar men to adulthood. The initiate must run naked across the backs of a line of cattle four times without falling. Success means he can marry and participate fully in adult society. Before the jump, female relatives invite floggingâbeing whipped by young men who have already jumped. This painful ritual demonstrates women's devotion to male relatives and creates bonds of obligation. Interpretations vary: some see it as gendered violence, others as meaningful ritual participation. The ceremony has attracted significant tourist attention.
Evangadi Dance
Hamar social life centers on evangadi, nighttime dances where young men and women meet potential spouses. These dances feature jumping, singing, and the distinctive beaded hairstyles and body decoration for which the Hamar are known. Women cover their hair with ochre and animal fat, creating distinctive reddish locks. Men's elaborate body decoration and hairstyles indicate their age-set and status. These aesthetic traditions represent the Hamar's rich visual culture and have attracted photographers and tourists, raising questions about cultural commodification.
Contemporary Hamar
Modern Hamar face pressures from Ethiopian state developmentâincluding the controversial Gibe III dam on the Omo River, which threatens downstream livelihoods. Tourism brings income but raises concerns about cultural exploitation and authenticity. Climate change affects cattle and crop production. Education and roads increasingly connect Hamar communities to the wider world. Some young people leave for cities; others maintain pastoral traditions. The Hamar case illustrates tensions between cultural preservation, development, and tourism in Africa's indigenous communities. How they navigate these pressures shapes this distinctive Omo Valley people's future.
References
- Lydall, J., & Strecker, I. (1979). The Hamar of Southern Ethiopia
- Turton, D. (2004). "Lip-plates and 'the People Who Take Photographs'"
- Epple, S. (2010). The Return of the Amaesa: Music and Identity among the Bashada of Southern Ethiopia