Africa Stars
Gerewol Festival
The Guérewol (var. Guerewol, Gerewol) is an annual courtship ritual competition among the Wodaabe Fula people of Niger. Young men dressed in elaborate ornamentation and made up in traditional face painting gather in lines to dance and sing, vying for the attentions of marriageable young women.
The Gerewol festival is an annual courtship ritual competition among the Wodaabe Fula people of Niger.
Young men dressed in super colourful ornaments with traditional face painting gather to dance and sing, with the hope of attracting the attentions of marriageable young women.
The Gerewol occurs each year as the traditionally nomadic Wodaabe cattle herders gather at the southern edge of the Sahara before dispersing south on their dry season pastures.
They gather around In-Gall in northwest Niger, where a large festival, market and series of clan meetings take place for both the Wodaabe and the pastoral Tuareg People.
The actual dance event is called the Yaake, while other less famous elements—bartering over dowry competitions or camel races among suitors—make up the week-long Gerewol.
To attract beautiful women, why don't you try it the Wodaabe Fula way.
Who knows, something great might turn up in your favour.
Credits:
This story was originally brought by Adomako-Frimpong Festus