People & Culture · Southern Ethiopia & Omo Valley
Hamar People
Semi-pastoralists of the Hamer Bena district around Turmi and Dimeka, and among the most visited communities of the Omo Valley.
- Best Time
- Year-round except April and May
- Suggested Stay
- 1 to 2 days
- Altitude
- 900 to 1,500 m
- Region
- Southern Ethiopia & Omo Valley
Why We Go
Ochre-braided hair, beaded leather, and the bull-jumping rite of passage.
The Hamar live in a fertile part of the Omo Valley in round, grass-roofed huts set around cattle and goat enclosures. Cattle provide milk, meat and status, and families trade with their neighbours for sorghum and maize.
Their best-known tradition is the bull-jumping ceremony, in which a young man runs across the backs of a line of cattle to prove his readiness for marriage, accompanied by singing, dancing and celebrations. Afterwards he joins the maza, the young men who help organise future ceremonies.
Highlights
- The bull-jumping ceremony (ukuli bula), when it takes place
- Market days in Turmi and Dimeka
- Evening dances in Hamar villages
- Women’s ochre-coated hair and leather skirts
Journeys Including Hamar People
Routes that pass through here
More in Southern Ethiopia & Omo Valley
Plan This Destination
Build Hamar People into your journey
Nothing here is fixed. Tell us how long you have and what else you want to see, and our team will plan the route, including the flights, the guides and the hours that matter.
Let’s Plan Your Ethiopian Adventure
Tell us a little about your travel plans. We’ll help you create a journey that suits your interests.
Discover Ethiopia. Experience the Extraordinary!
Speak to someone who has been there this season
Our guides travel these routes all year. Ask about road conditions, festival dates or the best time to visit. You will get a straight answer.
Or call us directly on +251 912 039405