Jumping to Manhood


  • Photographer
    Lapeze
  • Prize
    Honorable Mention
  • Date of Photograph
    December 2012

During the ceremony of bull jumping, in the hamar tribe, Ethiopia, women as a sign of dévotion to the Young boy / futur man are whipped. They have tied bunches of small bells to their calves which jingle with each step, their hair is matted red with ochre. Thick welts cover their bodies, but instead of screaming they taunt their abusers to beat them harder. After the whipping ceremony, the women’s horns get louder, their jumping higher, to encourage the young boy. To be considered an adult or “Maza”, young men must run naked along the spines of ten to fifteen castrated bulls, standing together in a line in front of his village. Undescribable ceremony ! Smell, noise, tension, joy …

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