logo

Scares and Keys to The Hamer Life

Young Hamer tribe girls in Ethiopia, are part of a very controversial tradition of being whipped to show their loyalty and dedication to male family members when the boy is initiated into manhood. In return, he is indebted to take care of them if need be. It shows their strength to available men.

Awards

Photographer of the Year Contest

2026

Nominees

Storytelling

Professional

Scares and Keys to The Hamer Life

Young Hamer tribe girls in Ethiopia, are part of a very controversial tradition of being whipped to show their loyalty and dedication to male family members when the boy is initiated into manhood. In return, he is indebted to take care of them if need be. It shows their strength to available men.

About Artist

Cyndy B Waters

Cyndy B Waters has worked around the country as a photographer since the 70’s. She has enjoyed documenting people thru many transitions in the photographic world. Yet, regardless to 35mm, 4x5 or digital, it’s what happens when looking thru the lens and making eye contact with someone from a different part of the world that excites her photographically. It’s those experiences and creating a powerful image that captures a person right were they are in life at that point in time, freezing frames of their history that won’t ever be the same again. In 1995 Cyndy answered a spiritual calling to Africa and for the last 31 years has worked between Tennessee and Africa. She developed The Orbit Village Project, (orbitvillage.org) serving 100’s of children and families in Kenya. All the while, documenting that experience. She photographs the reality of life that she see around her and that she is involved in. Cyndy has won numerous awards, been published in books, and her work has been shown in galleries and online. Photographs of people from the Omo Valley tribes from her most recent show, The Ethiopian, are currently being edited for a book, The Ethiopian, Volume 1, which will be published later this year. Webpage cyndybwaters.smugmug.com FB CyndyBWaters Insta Cyndybwatersphotographer

Cyndy B Waters

Photographic Areas of Focus

Aerial, Landscapes, Landscapes, Nature, People, People, Portrait, Travel, Wildlife

Location

United States of America

Explore Other Winners

View All
Photographer of the Year
Honorable Mentions
Sabrina Charehbili

Sabrina Charehbili

Conceptual

Nominees
Sanghoon Park

Sanghoon Park

Storytelling

People’s Vote Award
Nominees +2
Marcel van Beek

Marcel van Beek

Event

Honorable Mentions
Nominees
Valerie Simmons

Valerie Simmons

Film/Analog

logo

Contests

Info

FAQ & RulesTerms of UsePrivacy Policy

Links

Facebook

Instagram

Contact Us

© Creative Resource Collective, LLC 2026. All Rights Reserved.

1839 Awards is managed by Creative Resource Collective, LLC.

Learn More

Creative Resource Collective, LLC.