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Ukuli...
During my Sep 8, 2020 presentation at the library of congress, entitled - the journey continues - I expressed my views and interruptions of events, acts of devotions and historical artifacts. One of the topics discussed was the Ukuli ceremony, also known as bull jumping. There is a growing call from friends to elaborate my view on the community aspect of the ceremony. The facts and descriptions of the ceremony are online and accessible by searching: Ukuli, bull jumping, hamer etc.. so, I found it necessary to limit my comments to my points of views.
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The Hamer boy’s coming-of-age ritual is a community event that signifies the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood. As any community in the world, rituals are a way of creating and strengthening relationships between families and communities. They often mark important events and are expressed in many forms, including joy and/or sorrow. In the Ukuli ceremony, a visitor is presented with overwhelming cultural mosaic. The energy is intense, the sound is resounding and the visual can easily overload the senses.
Do not be mistaken, there is more to these picturesque ceremonies than what meets-the-eyes. Most people focus on the obvious and literal physical challenge of jumping the bulls and fail to see the culture as a whole. But it is more than that! You are witnessing a symbolic enactment of values of the community and the continuations of a strong bond to their ancestors.
The young boy is becoming an adult. Entering this phase of his life gives him privileges as well as increases his social responsibilities and the community’s expectations. In the Ukuli ceremony, community connection is tested, commitments are expressed, love is celebrated, bonds are strengthened, and cultural devotion is demanded.
Go visit Ethiopia. People often disagree based on wrong assumptions of others' intentions. on wrong assumptions of other’s intentions. The more you visit, the less fearful you will be of others. I have visited the lower Omo Valley twice in the last 10 years; it is defiantly one of my favorite places to visit.
Go visit Ethiopia. People often disagree based on wrong assumptions of others' intentions. The more you visit, the less fearful you will be of others. I have visited the lower Omo Valley twice in the last 10 years; it is defiantly one of my favorite places to visit.
