History of Tsamai People of Ethiopia. .
Friday, October 29, 2021
Tsamai People can be found in Ethiopia, they are also known as Tsemey People and they are part of the Kushitic speaking family branch, they are herdmen and keep cattles, grow crops such as rice, millet, sorghum and other crops as well.
According to David , They are related to the Hamar People of Ethiopia, Bussa People of Ethiopia in their Culture men carry wooden stools with them sometimes they carry it and want to sit on it during a sojourn.
Traditionally men wear a bracelets and collars made out of beads and unmarried women cloths like long tails, long in front or longer one behind, when they get married the bride father bless his daughter with grape seed oil or any kind of oil this annoiting in their traditions dates back to more than 2,000 years ago it have been practiced by their.
Ancestors when the daughter is blessed or annointed they prepare a goat skin skirt for her and the father of the groom under his authority he tell his messengers to go to the bride’s house and visit the parents if they accepted the marriage proposal then they get ready for a payout for the bride’s family.
According to their Oral history , They inhabited the plain of a river called Weyto river they crossed the Sagan river with the Konso and Bussa people then settled among the Banna People and Dime People, others claimed they had intermarried it is said they had strong friendship with the Hamar and Bana they shared border with the Arobore people to the South, Kerkert people to the east and Maale people to the northwest.
According to their Oral tradition , They believed Male and female created the world and because of human being evil deeds diseases and suffering came to the world for not being obeident to the Creator or Supreme being and nine girls were given to the Tsamai People under the commander of the Supreme being to refrained them for being evil and live happily.
Cow Jumping Cultural Ceremony takes place the boy put on his outfitted with a band it prove that he is prepared for marriage, the boy have to run over the bull four times without slipping or falling is an ancinet tradition which dates back to 1295 BC during the Temple of Amun, Kamak which was built a new Kingdom during that era, Hamar also perfromed the same Cultural ceremony called Cow Jumping Ceremony.
Marriages plays a big role the partner’s parent of the woman have to come to an agreement and the groom must be reponsible father prepared and ready then the bride parents take control over the preparation for food, clothing and of the traditional wedding except from honey moon the partners do not eat in the same bowl it is claimed it is prohibited.
They marry more than one also referred as Polygamy it is praticed throughout generations and the partners received the blessings of their fathers after the marriage their fathers ask the Creator for long life, good health and wishing them well in their marriages.
They also have their traditional tattoos which some of them used it as a mark on their face from the forehead down to their cheeks ans chin, Breast feeding plays a big role women breastfeed their children it is believed the children become healthy, get balanced diet and breast feeding the children he or she grows to eat more healthy food or solid food and develop by building a strong bones.
Tsamai men carry their small seat around with them just in case they need to seat down as well their hairstyle have deep connection to their heritage, they braid their hair this include warriors and hunters hairstyle like cornrolls.
They perform dances like Evangadi it is a dance of the Hamar people which they adopted by the Tsamai people during ocassion is performed and they come together with the Bana to barter for goods one or the other ethnic groups specialises in.
