they're having one of the most important celebrations of their life
I was very lucky to already be in the Dassanech Community when we got word
that a dimi ceremony was taking place. We drove to one of the biggest villages I
have ever seen and witnessed one of the most spectacular events.
as I was driving into the village I noticed immediately these long sticks that were
tucked into the walls of certain homes and then shortly after that I noticed a large
totem-like structures that were placed in the front. I learned that both of these things are
signaling the home of a girl and her family that are going to be honored in the ceremony
this ceremony is only for the firstborn daughter of a father
it is said to be the greatest time of a father's life after the ceremony
he will be considered an elder he'll earn higher respect amongst the clan
and will be able to take part in the future decision-making of the village
Komi-zap (Hello)
now the afternoon ceremony is beginning. a special golden Clay is being formed into a
paste and will be used to paint the bodies of the parents and relatives of each young girl
the Dassanech's rituals and beliefs are deeply rooted
in spirits of magic, and this golden paint is said to hold magical powers
the totem-like wooden structure is called a "Nass" and it symbolizes the daughter of each
family. no one is allowed to touch it except for the father and the members of his family
it holds the father's leopard skin cape and ostrich hat and also the mother's
cape made from a Calibus monkey along with various instruments and Jewelry.
the animal skins symbolize strength and heroism
back in the day they hunted long and far to get the Skins but nowadays there's no
more hunting instead they work very hard to raise the money to buy one
oil is poured into the father's hand which he'll then use to grease his ceremonial stick
I am in the Dassanech tribe at the Dimi ceremony it is the biggest celebration
that there is the most important celebration it's when a father's first daughter
goes from a young girl into now she is preparing for marriage.
after everyone is
dressed and painted the husband and wife begin to sing to each other and bless their home
this ceremony is for the first daughter but the
blessings will be passed down to every daughter in the family
little by little each family comes together and they move on from home
to home singing and blessing each of the families
all right
this goes on for about an hour to an hour and a
half and happens two times a day in the morning and late afternoon
this ceremony lasts for an average of three to six months the elders aside
when the girls have been blessed enough and are ready for their next stage in life
coffee
good morning so the ceremony the Dimi ceremony just ended for tonight and afterwards everybody
goes back to their home to have some coffee and give a blessing to their family to all
the women in the family. how much longer do they think this will go on like yeah
it you said three months three more months yeah okay
two weeks
as you can see I'm very hot and sweaty it's kind of hot in here but anyway uh
this ceremony goes on for several days it's already been going on for about
two weeks and I just found out that they have about three more months to go so it's
two times a day every single day that they go from home to home praying and blessing
the families of the first daughters who are being celebrated.
yes I ask you to ceremonies they say everything is
good. everything is good? yeah and they say you are welcome. thank you
so this is how they chew tobacco they stick it behind their ear
for safe keeping oh
I love it nice pocket yeah
thank you
the meanings and various symbolisms of this ceremony go deeper than you
and I could ever understand. because of numerous reasons, the odds are against
many of these tribes in this world and I am honored to be able to witness some of their
rituals and traditions while they're still here and share them with you
I am saying goodbye to everybody