Already unbearable to marry: why do men of the Hamer tribe beat women
Already unbearable to marry: why do men of the Hamer tribe beat women

Video: Already unbearable to marry: why do men of the Hamer tribe beat women

Video: Already unbearable to marry: why do men of the Hamer tribe beat women
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Massacre of women in the Hamer tribe (Ethiopia)
Massacre of women in the Hamer tribe (Ethiopia)

Raising a hand on a woman is considered unacceptable in a civilized society, but in the semi-savage tribes of Africa, such behavior is the norm. Moreover, women are willing to suffer voluntarily, going through the scarring ceremony in order to get a good husband. These are the cruel laws of the Hamer tribe.

Hamer women are famous for their beauty
Hamer women are famous for their beauty

The Hamer tribe is well known not only by ethnographers, but also by ordinary travelers. This nation is considered one of the most contact in Ethiopia, so we know a lot about their rituals and customs. In the tribe, polygamy is accepted, it is assumed that men marry one woman who gives birth to children for him as long as she is able to do this, later the father of the family chooses the next mother for his future children. As a rule, the first chosen one perceives the second wife not as a rival, but as a deliverer from the need to continue the race.

Hamer tribe woman (Ethiopia)
Hamer tribe woman (Ethiopia)
Hamer tribe woman (Ethiopia)
Hamer tribe woman (Ethiopia)
Hamer tribe man (Ethiopia)
Hamer tribe man (Ethiopia)

A man is considered ready for marriage when he undergoes the initiation ceremony, the most important stage in his life. Usually it involves a difficult test: the guy needs to run over the backs of the cows, which are prudently lined up in a row, and not fall. This trick is repeated seven times, after which the hero of the initiation rite can confidently consider that he has proved his courage and dexterity to everyone.

Tribal elders in their finest attire at the initiation ceremony
Tribal elders in their finest attire at the initiation ceremony
With a whistle, a woman notifies a man that she is ready for blows
With a whistle, a woman notifies a man that she is ready for blows

Before the "race", "future men" perform one more rite - they flog women with rods. Women do it voluntarily. Previously, they retire from men and spend one day and night drinking borday (an alcoholic beverage that resembles beer) in order to enter a trance state and dance around the fire. The ceremony is attended by very young virgins, who, together with the first scars, will have the opportunity to be chosen by one of the men of the tribe as a wife. They are also supported by older women, whose backs have long been adorned with scars, this time the "collection of mutilations" will be replenished. Interestingly, the first time a girl should take part in a collective beating is when her brother reaches maturity. If there are no boys in the family (which is extremely rare), then all daughters are doomed to loneliness.

The younger generation of the Hamer tribe
The younger generation of the Hamer tribe
Scars on the back of a woman
Scars on the back of a woman
The woman lies exhausted after the ceremony
The woman lies exhausted after the ceremony
Victim of a cruel rite
Victim of a cruel rite

A day later, young guys come to the clearing to the women. According to custom, men ignore women, the same (in turn) should cause them anger, the blows should be strong and repeated. When one of the men lose their nerves, a violent act begins: one after another, blows fall on the backs of the women. The more they suffer at this moment, the happier they see themselves in the future. The beating ends when the victims collapse from exhaustion. Having survived the test, they treat their skin with clay compresses and know for sure that now they will find their happiness.

Ritual dances before beating
Ritual dances before beating
Hamer woman
Hamer woman
Hamer woman
Hamer woman
Hamer woman
Hamer woman

Scarification is a bloody and painful way of "decorating" the body among African tribes. This rite, in addition to hamer, is practiced by other nationalities. Beware, the photos in our review can be shocking!

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