Hardened Princess Warrior photo of an older Hammer woman looking strong and fierce.
Hammer Valkyrie - Image 2

Hammer Valkyrie

$65.00 – $2,245.00

In Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, just beyond the Hamer community of Turmi, the sun was beating down on an arid landscape that was framed by tall trees along a dry riverbed. It was here that the ancient rite of the Bull Jumping ceremony was unfolding, and a young Ukuli’s passage into manhood was just beginning.

Amidst the festive dance of Hammer women, their calves ringing with bells, their voices filling the air with a primal melody, stood a woman. A survivor. One eye fierce, the other bearing a secret scar of life, perhaps a wound from battle. Her face, carved by the elements, spoke of a life forged in resilience. Her regal adornments—clay-set hair, a shell crown with a lone ostrich feather, colorful beads, and marriage rings—were more than mere decorations. They were chapters in the story of her life, each a symbol of her esteemed status within her tribe.

Limited Edition vs Open Edition:
Limited Edition pieces are printed on archival museum-grade, archival rag paper or premium museum canvas, using long-lasting pigment inks. The Collection items are shipped as print-only. If you opt for the museum paper, your new photographic artwork will be bordered by a 1.5-inch white margin, which will be signed, titled, embossed, and numbered…
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Description

In Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, just beyond the Hamer community of Turmi, the sun was beating down on an arid landscape that was framed by tall trees along a dry riverbed. It was here that the ancient rite of the Bull Jumping ceremony was unfolding, and a young Ukuli’s passage into manhood was just beginning.
 
Amidst the festive dance of Hammer women, their calves ringing with bells, their voices filling the air with a primal melody, stood a woman. A survivor. One eye fierce, the other bearing a secret scar of life, perhaps a wound from battle. Her face, carved by the elements, spoke of a life forged in resilience. Her regal adornments—clay-set hair, a shell crown with a lone ostrich feather, colorful beads, and marriage rings—were more than mere decorations. They were chapters in the story of her life, each a symbol of her esteemed status within the tribe.
 
I found myself captivated, not just by her physical presence but by what she represented. Her poise was commanding, almost intimidating, a mixture of elegance and raw power. It was as though she were a guardian, a selector of the valiant, standing as a protective heart of her tribe. There was something Viking-like about her, a warrior quality that made her ready to strike at any time.
 
The context of the day added to her mystique. The Bull Jumping ceremony, a sacred tradition by a number of the tribes in the Omo Valley, was about to unfold. Young men known as Maza were arriving, women were dancing, and anticipation was turning into excitement. This ritual of whipping and scarring, though brutal, was not a mark of oppression but a symbol of strength, courage, loyalty—a voluntary act with deep cultural roots.
 
I chose to photograph this woman from below to capture her commanding presence. Her eyes, squinted and ready, looked out over the land, as if surveying a battlefield. I wanted to document her unique adornments, but more than that, I wanted to capture her essence.
 
In her, I saw an emblem of the Hammer tribe—a living connection to a rich, resilient heritage that speaks of honor and unwavering determination. Her image remains etched in my mind, a timeless reflection of her people, a place, and our connection.

Additional information

Size

8"x12", 12"x18", 24”x36”, 30"x45", 32"x48", 36”x54"
Paper

Museum Quality Paper, Professional Photo Paper, Museum Canvas
Edition

Initialed Open Edition, Signed Limited Edition

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Photography that tugs at the threads of our shared humanity

My hope is to tell stories that help people see the light within themselves and in others. Through my lens, I aim to capture the beauty that endures, even in the toughest times, and the truths that need to be faced. I believe that when we do this, we create a more compassionate, brighter world.

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