Population: 23,700.
Language: Hamer-Banna.
Neighboring Peoples: Banna.
History: They belong to a group of culturally distinct people known as the Sidamo. Although they are racially mixed with the Bushman hunters who originally inhabited the region, they do not have any Bushman features. Authorities agree that they are clearly a mixture of the Caucasian and thenNegroid races.
Economy: Most of the Hamer are cattle breeders.
Social System: The Hamer live in camps that consist of several related families. The families live in tents arranged in a circle, and the cattleare brought into the center of the camp at night. When the campsite is being set up, beds for the women and young children are built first; then the tent frame is built around it. The tents are constructed with flexible poles set in the ground in a circular pattern. The poles are bent upward, joining at the top, then tied. The structures are covered with thatch during the dry season and canvas mats during the rainy season. Men and boys usually sleep on cots in the center of the camp, near the cattle. Herds belonging to the Hamer-Banna consist mainly of cattle, although there are some sheep and goats. Camels are used for riding and as pack animals.
Most Hamer-Banna plant fields of sorghum at the beginning of the rainy season before leaving on their annual nomadic journey. Some households also plant sesame and beans. Because the crops are usually leftunattended, the yields are low. Few households grow enough grain to last through the year.
One striking characteristic of the Hamer-Banna men and women is that they indulge in elaborate hair-dressing. They wear a clay "cap" that is painted and decorated with feathers and other ornaments. Much time is spent inpreparing the hair, and care must be taken to protect it from damage. This is one reason the men often sleep on small, cushioned stools. The women use the butter for the perfect look manteinance of their hair-dressing. A well-dressed man will wear a toga-like cloth and carry a spear and a stool. Women also commonly wear colorful toga-like garments. Men may marry as many women as they like, but only within their own tribe. A "bride price" of cattle and other goods is provided by the prospectivehusband and his near relatives. A typical household consists of a woman, her children, and a male protector. A man may be the protector of more than one household, depending on the number of wives he has.
Also, men are sometimes assigned the responsibility of protecting a divorced woman, a widow, or the wife of an absent husband (usually his brother). Marriage celebrations include feasting and dancing. Young girls as well as boys are circumcised.
Religion: The Hamer-Banna are 90% Sunni Muslim. They observe the five basic teachings of Islam, which include acknowledging that Allah is the only god, praying, fasting, giving alms to the poor, and making a pilgrimage to Mecca. However, many elements of their traditional religion are still practiced. For instance, they believe that natural objects (rocks, trees, etc.) have spirits. They also believe in jinnis, or spiritsthat are capable of assuming human or animal form and exercising
supernatural influence over people.

Guest		30-Sep-2008 03:24
nice portraits. a little more context on how they live, etc, would be great if you have it.

Guest		28-Sep-2008 11:18
amazing V

Evaristo Buendia Carrera		17-Mar-2007 02:09
Beautiful people, great portraits..professional work...V

yannick Beunard		03-Mar-2007 10:37
Superb gallery! All is wonderful ! Bravo...

Guest		03-Mar-2007 09:46
If the broadband goes off for a couple of hours we become useless... Those people have nothing and still they look (and are) happy with what they got. Western lifestyle is quite something... As for your photography, if i had no wife & daughter by now, i'll probably took off for those countries... That inspiring your shots are. Vote Stefanos

Bill Morgenstern		22-Oct-2006 21:48
This and all of your Ethopian Galleries are truly amazing works of art and uderstanding. All first world peoples should look at these to see the beauty and roots of the world. Thank you for sharing and providing very enlightening pictures and information. This is your gift to all of us. Voted...

G.Pietro Munaretto		29-Jul-2006 12:11
sono bellissime

Jolanda Luynenburg		12-Jul-2006 19:23
Wonderful! Very special.

Teddy Cooper		23-Jun-2006 08:18
Suis très impressioné par ces magnifiques images mais aussi ... par l'extrême jeunesse et le dénuement de cette maman ! Vous me conprenez ?

Maury Krystel		20-Jun-2006 22:29
Absolutely facinating! I love to travel and to see different cultures close up. However, I have not been fortunate enough to see, in person, anything to compare with your images.

raymondg		03-Jun-2006 06:09
Amazing Gallery. A wonderful experience of colour and beauty that I would never otherwise be able to see and appreciate. Thankyou.

marie-jose wolff		02-Jun-2006 12:29
Vos photos sont très impressionnantes et superbes ! les portraits sont très expressifs et émouvants. merci de nous faire découvrir ces peuples d'Ethiopie !

uuuu		30-May-2006 07:06
Wonderful gallery and beautiful people, I know Ethiopia, an exceptional journey. Voted.

Zane Paxton		30-May-2006 04:09
Excellent work Sergio!

Vandermaas Photography		30-May-2006 00:40
I've watched all the galleries of Ethiopia, and you did an incredible job on your photography. Amazing, my vote !

Guest		28-May-2006 23:38
Just plain first rate..wish I could be there...DD

Guest		28-May-2006 12:26
Great gallery an excellent subject to make fantastic pictures

Jola Dziubinska		27-May-2006 20:53
Wonderful gallery, excellently captured people and their different characters. Thanks for the story. Voted.

Nestor Derkach		27-May-2006 09:33
Excellent gallery , great images !!! Voted for this gallery.

Anna Pagnacco		24-May-2006 21:15
Excellent gallery, superb photography!!! ( V ) Ciao, Anna

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