The Hammer tribe Inhabiting the eastern territory of the Omo River, Hamar villages are found throughout both Turmi and Dimeka, their People easily the most recognizable of all the Omo Valley tribes, save perhaps for the Mursi.
While the spelling of the tribe may very (Hamar, Hammer, or Hamer), the wonderfully eclectic body ornaments and decorations of the people do not. The women are Particularly striking with their hair set in thick ochre-colored Plaits, their arms adorned with scores of copper bracelets, beads, Cowries and leather worn around their waists and their skin Marked with deep scars caused by intentional cuts that have been packed with charcoal and ash.
You can identify a married Hamer woman by whether or not she is wearing a chunky copper band around her neck. More than one band indicates more than one husband. Surely there’s only so many husbands a neck can cope with?
Men are more plainly decorated but also partake in body Scarring, and paint themselves in white chalk for special occasions such as a bull jumping ceremony.
