: Tribesman Prepares to Become a Man

Previous Image Next Image

This boy is the thirteenth born to a woman who killed twelve of her children by Mingi ritual. The Karo believe that a boy is not a man until he goes through a traditional manhood ceremony by jumping bulls.  He survived and is preparing for his day to go through the bull jumping ceremony.

Segregated off in a blue tarp, he is naked. Elders then take him into the middle of the courtyard, a relative pulls his head back and puts a knife on top—ostensibly to cut his hair. A few  simple gifts–few bir, tattered clothing, and a ball cap containing a quart of oily substance–are thrown onto the blanket.