The Hamar (also spelled Hamer) are an Omotic community inhabiting southwestern Ethiopia. The Hamar are known for their unique custom of "bull jumping," which initiates a boy into manhood. First, female relatives dance and invite whipping from men who have recently been initiated; this shows their support of the initiate, and their scars give them a right to demand his help in time of need. The boy must run back and forth twice across the backs of a row of bulls or castrated steers, and is ridiculed if he fails.
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/43714545@N06">Richard Mortel</a> from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
CC BY 2.0
<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/prof_richard/28606874433/">Preparing the bulls at a Hamer bull jumping ceremony (6)</a>