The Hamers are pastoralists and number about 80,000.00. They are known their practice of body adornment and wearing a multitude of colorful beads. Women adorn their necks with heavy polished iron jewelry. Hamer society consists of a complex system of age group. To pass from one age group to anther involves complicated rituals. The most significant ceremony for young men Is the “JUMPING of the bull “the final test before passing into adulthood.
Several days before the ceremony, initiates pass out invitations in the form of dried knotted grass. The ceremony lasts three days. Late in the afternoon on the final day, ten to thirty bulls are lined up side by side. The naked initial how is called the Chekole will rushes towards the animals ,vaults onto the first bull’s back and then runs across the line of Animals . At the end of the line, He turns back to repeat the performance in the opposite direction. He must make this unstable journey without falling.
After a successful journey over the bulls, we will stay with his family for about three days till the ceremony finish. After three days he will join Mazas.
Mazas are those who have successfully jumped over the bull but not yet mired. as the proceed of selecting the future wife will take few months , till his family find out his wife the Ukuli will remain as Maza . Mazas play big role in the ceremony of Bull Jumping since they are the only one who flogs the women.
The Hamer men have a reputation of being less than adoring husbands. The women submit to the ritual floggings proudly and love to show the deep scars that are regarded as a proof of devotion to their husband.
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