The Hamer people (Also known as Hamar) are a community inhabiting the territory east of the Omo River in south western Ethiopia. Whilst they have villages in Turmi and Dimeka, most live in small clusters of wooden mud huts scattered among the bush covered hills in the area.

The official population of Hamer vary and a 2007 national census reported 46,532 people in this ethnic group. They make a living from cattle, goats and other livestock as well as farming.

In march 2014, I arranged to stay in a remote small Hamer village about 80 kms from the nearest town. I was very privileged to be the first foreigner to stay with them and also the first photographer to photograph them.

Whilst I had planned a 10 day stay, unfortunately my lighting equipment overheated in the extremely hot and dry weather conditions and I had to leave after just 6 days.

The first 2 days of my stay were spent sitting quietly under a tree whilst the village discussed my arrival and conditions of acceptance. Once these important customs and formalities were concluded, I was welcomed as a guest.

These photographs were taken over just 4 days. It was a unique experience for us all as most of them had never seen camera or lighting equipment ("White heat") before or even a photograph of themselves.

For me, these images represent a small part of what the Hamer people are about. In the short time I was there, I experienced the incredible values that they have as a community and learned about some of the traditions that they are fighting hard to keep from the inevitable influence of the outside world.

I have never experienced a people who live in such peace and harmony with each other and their land.

Printed photographs of these and other portraits I took of the Hamer have been sent back to them in gratitude.