The Hamar people are a community inhabiting southwestern Ethiopia in a fertile part of the Omo River valley. They are largely pastoralists, so their culture places the highest value on their cattle. The women in this community are easily recognizable thanks to their specific attire; the traditional vestimentary code for the unmarried girls includes elegant necklaces of cowrie shells, grains and glass and sheepskin clothing with ornamental multicoloured beads. Pascal saw her passing at a local market and asked her to pose for a photograph, she obliged with poise and complete control, while off-camera there were dozens of young kids laughing and screaming. After taking the shot, as he always does, Pascal showed her the result: she seemed unimpressed, it was “just her” after all…
Other artworks by Pascal Mannaerts