Necklaces among the Hamers have a particular meaning. A married woman wears specific necklaces whose number indicates her status: three for the first wife, the most powerful of the family, while the second and third wives wear only two. These are necklaces that they can never remove. The installation of these necklaces is not well documented because it is rather barbaric: the woman slips her neck into a thin opening, and it is by tapping with a stone that the necklace is then sealed. 

Hans Silvester met the Hamers for the first time in 2002 in the southwest of Ethiopia. He was struck by the contrast between the harsh existence of these women and their beauty and cheerfulness. Since then, more than 35 trips have taken place, strong links have been established between the photographer and the tribes. Captivated by these African goddesses, Hans Silvester wanted to take pictures of them. It was his guide, Moulou, who submitted the project to the women of the tribe: they burst out laughing.  It was won. The white hair gave him an eccentric air, "a bit of a moron" as he put it. The Hamer women adopted it after laughing and kept their natural look for the great pleasure of the artist.  Beauty in its purest expression, no fixed pose.

Retour De Voyage is charmed by the portrait of this woman from whom emanates an incredible softness and strength.