Heralded as one of the most beautiful people in Africa, the Wodaabe people live a life where looking good is the norm. There are many indigenous tribes throughout Africa, but none of them are centered around beauty like the Wodaabe people. From macho-men in makeup, to fascinating ceremonies, here are 15 things you didn’t know about the Wodaabe people.
1. Location
Originally nomadic and a subgroup of the Fulani people, the Wodaabe live predominantly in the deserts of Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Central African Republic. They would often migrate during seasonal changes to more hospitable and livable areas.
2. Population
Today, there are an estimated 160,000 to 200,000 Wodaabe in Africa. They are a subgroup of the Fulani people, which has a population of 41 million. The Wodaabe show aversion to the mainstream Fulani, since they perceived them to have “lost” their true Wodaabe traditions. The Fulani people also show disdain for Wodaabe, and sometimes refer to them as “wild.”
3. Dress
It’s common to see Wodaabe people donning tattoos, body paint, jewelry and colorful sashes. Beauty is very important for the Wodaabe. Even men will invest large amounts of time, money, and effort into beautifying themselves to attract women.
4. Beauty
A woman can choose a man by his beauty — usually constituted of a long nose, light skin, big eyes and super white teeth. This is why you’ll see the men in ceremonies grinning wide and enlarging their pupils. The makeup they wear is often used to enhance their best features.
5. Language
They speak the Fula language but do not read or write the language. The word Wodaabe means “people of the Taboo.”
6. Religion
The Woodabe religion is predominantly Islamic, and adheres to the teaching of Muhammad. They were one of the first ethnic groups outside of the Middle East to convert to the religion. However, there are a few tribes which stick with the pre-Islamic traditional belief system.
7. Pulaaku
The Wodaabe people take their code of ethics (pulaaku) very seriously. They must learn the balance of discipline, wisdom, courage, responsibility and self control. This moral code helps the people maintain their identities and lead a flourishing life.
8. Marriage and childbearing
Wodaabe are largely polygamist and marriages are often arranged by parents. Once a bride is impregnated by her husband, she moves back home with her mother to take care of the child. After the birth of the child, the woman becomes a “boofeydo” (a pariah or taboo) and both the wife and the husband are not permitted to speak with each other for a few years.
9. Gerewol ceremony
The most important ceremony among the Wodaabe is the Gerewol, where men compete to be selected by women as the most beautiful. The men will sing, dance, and model themselves to appear attractive to women. After the beauty contest, the winners may or may not sleep with the women. It all depends on the woman’s wish.
10. Art
The Wodaabe people are famous for their beautifully woven textile art. The dyed cloths are highly sought after and usually pricey to buy internationally. The fabrics are usually made by women, who spend hours applying intricate embroidery onto the cloth.
11. Homes
Although the Wodaabe originally lived in grass huts, more and more of the members are adapting modern lifestyles and living inside camping tents. Due to their nomadic lifestyle, fold-up tents prove to be much easier and less burdensome than building grass huts every time they relocate.
12. The role of women
Wodaabe women have more sexual freedom than their significant others and may sleep with two men (at the same time) before marriage. If a woman marries an unattractive man, the husband will allow her to sleep with an attractive man to produce better-looking babies, since beauty is held in such high regard within the culture.
13. Farming
The Woodabe people heavily rely on their Zebu cattle (a long-horned breed that withstand unbearable climates). They will sell or loan their cattle during dry seasons. During rainy seasons (when the cattle are healthier), the cattle are used for milk and meat production.
14. The role of men
When a Wodaabe boy turns 15, he officially becomes a man, and is given a cow and a communal celebration to mark his coming of age. Once he’s declared a man, he’ll start working to make himself more attractive to please women.
15. Attention
The unique Wodaabe traditions of singing and dancing are slowly gaining attention from international media (such as National Geographic) and various record labels. Recordings of their songs have been made into CDs, and the men are often invited to display their talents in Western countries. Some Wodaabe people will respectfully decline, but invite visitors to their land where they will offer them drinks with hallucinogenic effects.
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