The tribe where big is cherished

        Men from Bodi Tribe in Ethiopia compete to become fattest during the Ka'el ceremony, new year is known as Ka'el ceremony in Bodi tribe. The men drink mixture of blood and cow milk for six months before the Ka'el ceremony, to become fatten up to become hero. During the period of the six months, the tribe's women help the fat men out by bringing them the mixture of blood and cow milk at their hut where they stay.
        On the day of the Ka'el ceremony, the tribe's fat men body are smeared thickly with ashes and clay, when the fat men are ready, they are being watched walking to a sacred tree by the elders and other men, where the ceremony takes place, these walk serves as the challenge for them because of their weight, many of the fat men become very exhausting. During the walk and the ceremony, the Bodi tribe's women are there to help them with drinking water and alcohol. After the work round the sacred tree, the men wait to know the person who will bear the title of the Bodi's fattest man. The women interest in knowing the result is as much as men interest because most of the Bodi girls hope to get married to the fat man, the winner will be feted as hero for the rest of his life.
        After the ceremony, the Bodi kill one of their precious cows and the village elders inspect its blood and internal organs to see what the future holds for them. The men return to their normal way of eating after the ceremony has ended and they usually loose the extra weight within few weeks of the Ka'el ceremony.
        The ka'el ritual and Bodi's tradition is under the threat from the Ethiopian Government who plan to resettle 300,000 people from all over the country on their lands. For now, the tribe continue the tradition of choosing an unmarried man from each family each year for the competition and still celebrate Ka'el each june.