The Hamar, untouched tribe from “never colonized” country, Ethiopia

AFRICAN HISTORY

No European power ever colonized Ethiopia. The country of Ethiopia is the oldest sovereign state in Africa, and one of two African countries that avoided colonial rule.

Hamar family

The Hamar (alternatively spelled as Hamer) is a Southwestern Ethiopian Omotic tribe. They live in Hamer woreda (or district), a fertile part of the Omo River valley, in the Southern Nations , Nationalities, and Peoples Region (SNNPR) Debub Omo Zone. They are mostly pastoralists, so the cattle are highly regarded in their tradition.

The Hamar are filled with beautiful “bull jumping” tradition which introduces a boy into manhood.

Twice over the back of the row of bulls or castrated steers the boy must run back and forth, and is mocked if he fails.

Cow-jumping initiation ceremony

Hamer Bena’s assistant administrator, Ato Imnet Gashab, said only seven tribespeople have had high-school education completed.

Mingi is the state of being impure or “ritually tainted” within the religion of the Hamar and associated tribes.

A person, often a boy, who was regarded as a mingi, is killed through forced permanent separation or drowning in the river or being left alone in the jungle.

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The Origin of African Culture

The Origin of African Culture

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What do you know about the Origin of African Culture? “Africa changes you forever, like nowhere on earth. Once you have been there, you will never be the same. But how do you begin to describe its magic to someone who has never felt it? How can you explain the...

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