Hamer People

The Hamer occupy mountainous region in the eastern part of the lower Omo valley. The Hamar have integrated with many of their neighbors. Currently they make up the biggest Omotic language group in the Lower Omo region.

The Hamar women are some of the most elaborately dressed women of the region.

Their goatskin skirts are almost always decorated with colored glass beads which stand out in little patterns against the brown hide. The front of the skirt is edged with beads or small pieces of metal whose weight increases at the top of the triangle and causes the skirt to always fall between their legs, thus protecting their decency. The rear of the skirt has its own amusing touch, it is longer pointed cut strongly resembles the tail of the gazelle. Their girdle belts are covered in cowrie’s shells. The young girls adorn their heads with the bala, a band with an oval shaped metal plate overhanging the forehead. Solid metal necklaces called esente are worn.  Generally, these are never taken off. The status of married women is indicated by a third necklaces made of seeds and glass beads, as well as earrings are also worn. This feature can be watched during weekly market. Or else it can be visited in the village. The people are known by their bull jumping ceremony.