Meet Galtier, a young woman from the Hamer tribe. Galtier is already married at her young age. Her age is unknown to her, as is common with the Ethiopian tribes, however the type of necklace she's wearing indicates that she is the first wife. Her marriage required ‘bride wealth’, a payment made by her husband's family to her family made up of goats, cattle and guns. Although it’s paid over time in installments similar to a bank loan, it’s so high (30 goats and 20 head of cattle), that it might not be paid back in a lifetime. Galtier has covered her hair and body with clay, butter and animal fat which is traditional practice among Hamer women.
Meet Biuniat and her baby boy from the Bodi tribe. The Bodi still engages in barter trade system and Biuniat walks for hours to reach the weekly markets where she exchanges goods.
Meet Guri from the Arbore tribe. Guri, like all Arbore women, wears a black veil over her shaved head. The shaving of the head is a sign of virginity, a condition she must maintain until she gets married. As part of the wedding process Guri will have to be circumcised. She will be held down by her mother while her clitoris is cut, and she will then become a real Arbore woman. After this brutal ceremony, she will have to stay indoors for a couple of months. If she does not follow this tradition she will be forever shun by other Arbore who will insult her by saying she is a dirty Hamer woman. But for now Guri is enjoying being a girl. Balancing her studies at the nearby school with her chores at home which entail collecting water from a nearby pond and taking care of her family's goats.
