Ethiopian tribesmen compete to get as fat as possible in six months

The competition is on between tribesmen in a remote valley in Ethiopa - to get as fat as they can in the space of six months.

For half a year members of the Bodi tribe will drink nothing but fresh milk and blood from cows in order to pile on the pounds.

During this time they are not allowed to have sex or even leave their hut.

Women and girls deliver milk and blood each morning in pots or bamboos.

Although there is no prize for becoming the biggest competitor, there is a lot of pride up for grabs, and a large waistline is considered attractive by women in the tribe.

The contest forms part of the Ka'el ritual, held to mark the new year.

Every family is allowed to present an unmarried man for the challenge, who, after being chosen, retires to his hut and must not move or have sex for the duration.

Photographer Eric Lafforgue, who took the pictures, said: "The cows are sacred to the Bodi tribe so they are not killed.

"The blood is taken by making a hole in a vein with a spear or an axe, and after that, they close it with clay."

Lafforgue said the fat men drink milk and blood all day long.

"The first bowl of blood is drunk at sunrise. The place is invaded by flies.

The man must drink it quickly before it coagulates but some cannot drink everything and vomit it," he said.

On the day of the ceremony, the men cover their bodies with clay and ashes before emerging from their huts.

Sadly, the Ka'el ritual and the Bodi's traditional way of life is under threat from the Ethiopian government, which plans to resettle 300,000 people from all over the country on their lands.

For now, the tribe continue as they always have, and still celebrate Ka'el in traditional style each June.