Mursi Bracelet Fighting

Women in Mursi participate in bracelet fighting, ula. Bracelet fighting helps the village evaluate the strength in women. The weapon used in bracelet fighting is made from a rod of iron. Bracelet fighting is a symbol of strength because only strong women are able to throw the heavy rod of iron (Turton, 2005). Married women do not participate in ula. Only Unmarried young girls are allowed to participate in bracelet fighting. Bracelet fighting is an important in Mersi culture. Bracelet fighting reflects a young girl skills and strengths in becoming a wife and mother.
Religion and healing are linked together in the Mursi Culture. Mursi believe in a greater force than themselves. The greater force they speak of is called Tumwi and lives in the sky (Joseph, 2015). Tumwi often manifest itself as “ahi a tumwin, which translate to a thing in the sky such as a rainbow or bird (Joseph, 2015). Mursi believes in animism and monotheism. They
have a belief that every object has a spirit within it and spirits can transform in the form of objects and animals having certain supernatural powers. Turton acknowledges that the Mursi are directed in matters of religion by their involvement of the world around them, rather than by a strict theological doctrine (Turton, 2005). The elders of the village practice many different life rituals for different occasions. Many life rituals will be performed during deaths to cleanse the air of the evil of the world. In Mursi villages they have priest (komoru). The priest acts as a bridge of communication between the clan and God (tumwi). Their information about religion and sickness is learned through personal experiences in the world. They have strong views that sickness is triggered by bad interactions with the environment and social connections. Priests are often sought upon when cattle are sick, crop is dying or a drought.
A mother bearing child is sick a healer is called upon. Healers in Mursi are viewed as having a medicinal hand. In Mursi culture, the women are the healers. Woman healers are called ngerrea. The healer sooth the ill and place their hands over the body to draw out the bad sickness. This technique is called leto, where the healer makes soothing sounds as she draws the sickness out of the body with motioning her hands around the body (Turton, 2005). Medicines are limited to healers, they use natural remedies. Healers use natural resources such as clay, dung, and plants to remove and prevent illness for the sick. Healers are skilled at what they do, they are able to distinguish an herb from only smell and touch. They refer sickness as being associated with Tumwi, their god. Sickness means a bad relationship with Tumwi and to fix the relationship they must be healed and cleanse. Mursi people are aware of the limited boundaries of their medical practice. The journey to the Mago Valley in order to get medicine can be long and dangerous, yet they still risk it. The doctors are limited, yet they prove people of Mursi will the appreciated medicine to cure their sickness.
Women are the face of the Mursi tribe. The women in Mursi tribe have many roles. They are mothers, healers, and wives. Mothers have a strong bond with their sons in Mursi culture. The son will often look upon their mothers for advice over his father. Since marriages are often arranged, women are expected to learn to love their spouse. While the men protect the clan, the women are often working behind making sure the village is running smoothly. Women are the backbone of the village. They are responsible for building the homes, childcare, preparing food, and getting clean water. Mursi men take care of the cattle and resolve conflict within the village. The men of the village are responsible for protecting the village incase of invaders.
The quest for beauty is often sought after among men and women in Mursi tribe.
They spend a lot of time on their appearance. Traditionally, the Mursi use body modifications as decorations to the body. They decorate their ears, lips, hair, and below the neck through scarification and painting. They view their body a canvas and self-expression. Since they live in isolation they do not have access to art material such as body paints, and brushes. They use natural resources found on the land and their fingers as a paintbrush. Mursi use body painting for many different reasons, to celebrate new life, rituals, ceremonies and during fights. Painting their bodies is a form of surface design. Surface design is a process of dressing which can be temporary or permanent (Eicher, 2015). They use various colors to designate their role in the village, ward of evil and sickness, attract the opposite gender, and rituals (Lily, 2015). Body painting starts at a young age, many mothers would paint their babies as a celebration of new life and
blessings.
Since there are no mirrors in the village, they must paint each other bodies. Painting each other’s bodies ensures that the designs and placement is perfect. Ochre is very popular to use to paint. Ochre can be found at their main resource, the Omo River. Ochre produces various of different pigments such as, yellow, red, sienna, purple and brown (Lily, 2015). Mursi people believe that the use of natural resources helps to enhance the relationship with the Earth. The soulful connections to the Earth are believed to be the reason for a long prosperous life (Lily, 2015). Sometimes the embellishments made on their skin are created to imitate different animals that come on their lands such as zebras. They do this to capture the animals and use the skin for clothing. During harsh weather, they cover their whole body with clay for protection from the