Coming to the Hamar tribe living in the Omo River valley (Ethiopia), many visitors are surprised by the bare backs covered with large and small scars of small indigenous women.
A woman’s back in this tribe is often covered with scars.
People here have an important ceremony called `bull jumping` – a ritual to prove a man’s maturity.
Whoever passes this level is called Maza and has the right to marry.
They fought to have other Mazas use whips on their backs until they bled.
Normally, a boy’s coming-of-age day will be decided and organized by his family after the harvest.
In addition to the traditional beating festival, men here are allowed to beat women without giving a reason.
French photographer Eric Lafforgue said that beatings are a common occurrence in the life of this strange tribe.
Besides, men are also allowed to marry multiple wives.
The Hamar tribe has other customs for children who are teething for the first time.
The elders of the tribe believe that by keeping those children, they will encounter drought and difficulties for the harvest.
Road to Omo River Valley:
About 20,000 Hamar people live in the Omo River valley – a fertile area in the vast south of Ethiopia.
Omo Valley tours are increasingly popular.
To get here, you need to take a flight to Addis Ababa – the capital of Ethiopia.
A tour to this location usually begins with a drive through the Great Rift valley.