African Woman Editorial Photo

African woman of the Hamer ethnic group with tribal hairstyle and body paint at the Jumping of the bull ceremony, Turmi, Ethiopia. The event is a rite of passage for men about to marry and is seen as a step from childhood to manhood. Before the bull jumping takes place, female relatives provoke the adult Hamer men to whip them on their bare backs. This causes life-long scaring on the women and is obviously very painful. The scars are a symbol of devotion to the men and are encouraged by the tribe.