Hammer Valkyrie
Price range: $65.00 through $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 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 pressed down on a dry landscape framed by tall trees along a riverbed. It was here that the ancient rite of the Bull Jumping ceremony unfolded, marking a young Ukuli’s passage into manhood.
Among the dancing Hamer women, the air filled with the sound of ankle bells and rhythmic songs. In the middle of the crowd stood a woman whose presence was impossible to ignore. One eye was sharp and commanding, the other marked by a faint scar. Her clay-set hair, shell crown with a single ostrich feather, and layers of beads and copper rings reflected her experience and standing in the community. Each piece carried meaning and history, connecting her to generations before her.
The Bull Jumping ceremony is one of the Hamer’s most important rites of passage. As the Maza prepared the bulls, women sang and submitted themselves to ritual whipping, a voluntary act that shows loyalty and strength. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and pride, as tradition and endurance came together in a powerful display of belonging.
I photographed her from below, to add strength to her pose. Her stance was calm but strong and her presence commanded respect.
To me, she represented the spirit of the Hamer people, grounded in heritage, shaped by the land, and unwavering in dignity.
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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