I was told this was the Yaake dance. - rosemarysheel's Photos

Portraits of the Wodaabe during the Geerewol, or beauty contest

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Young Wodaabe men compete in a beauty contest each year during the Cure Salee. The men dress as uniquely as possible within their limited means. They make their own jewelry and use old military buttons to decorate their turbans. They trade with the Touareg for the silver jewelry made by the Touareg vassals. I think they make their own make up. It looks rather like clay. The tunic of the man on the left is embroidered by a Wodaabe woman. This chain stitch is typical of their work.

The man in the orange gandoura is pleased to stand out from the crowd. The red leather pouch hanging around his neck is of Touareg design. Its original purpose was to carry a mini Koran. Most Woodabe cannot read, but they feel that the Koran, a verse from the Koran etc. will bring 'Baraka' or God's grace to them.

The Geerewol or beauty contest took place at dusk and I was restricted by my choice of film. (100 ASA). Most likely I pushed this accounting for the grainy quality. To make matters worse, I had inadvertantly left my yellow filter on my lens! Somedays you can't win. Thanks to Photoshop, I am able to bring back most of the true colors.

The men are constantly moving as they imitate the movements of a camel. They hiss, roll their eyes, show their white teeth and rise up and down on their toes to make themselves look taller.

Applying make up prior to the beauty contest.

This beauty contest is done in two types of costume. We were told that this costume is the Yaake costume, but I am not sure if that is correct. In this performance the men dress somewhat like American Indians.

This guy is sure he will win. What confidence!

A young Wodaabe boy is pleased to have his photo taken. Notice the red leather pouches hanging from his neck. These are called 'magany' and this could be interpreted as 'medicine'. They contain Koranic verses written by the hand of an Imam and bring the wearer good luck. I'm sure his mother gave them to him.

I was told this was the Yaake dance.

Yaake dance. I don't know if the guy in red was a contestant or not. He stood in front of the line.

"Hey! Where did he get that?"

No doubt they are checking out a man with a fancier costume than they have.

I was told this was the Yaake dance.

I was told this was the Yaake dance.

I was told this was the Yaake dance.

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