Bull Jumping in Hamer tribe
The Bull Jumping ceremony is the most important rite for the Hamer tribe of southern Ethiopia. It represents a life-changing event for the young man, known as « Ukuli », who passes from boyhood into adulthood. Before the jump, young women of the Ukuli family dance and sing in circles, begging to be chastised by whippers, demonstrating their devotion to the boy. The Ukuli needs to walk 4 times across the back of 10 cows. If he succeeds, he is considered to have put aside childish things and is allowed to marry. If he fails to do so, his family will be shamed and he won’t be able to marry a girl.