Hamar Waistband – Omo Valley, Southern Ethiopia

The Hamar (approx. population 61,000) are principally pastoralists, breeding cattle, goats and sheep. They have a similar veneration for cattle as their close neighbors. As with the majority of tribes in the area, the land in not owned by individuals; it is free for use by any member of the group.

They are amongst readily identifiable of all the peoples of the South Omo. Women wear an elaborately decorated goatskin, often colored with beads and cowries. Beaded necklaces, bracelets and waistbands adorn their bodies, which, for the Hamar, tend to be made with black, yellow and red beads (the Banna, their close neighbors, mostly use blue and black beads). Women wear thick copper/iron necklaces announcing their marital status. They wear a leather long tipped necklace and two copper/iron necklaces if they are second, third of fouth wife to one man.