The wodaabe are a nomadic people populating the sahel desert of west africa. Our local guide asks permission to camp near their houses, mingle with tribe members and attend the ceremonies. What do you think the wodaabe tribe shows about gender. During the rainy season, the wodaabe mainly consume milk from their cows. Our local guide asks permission to camp near their houses, mingle with tribe members and attend the. Herdsmen of the sun 1989 werner herzog doc about the wodaabe people nomads along the southern edge of the sahara. Both men and women consider tall figure, light skin, thin lips, long jaws, white eyes and teeth to be beautiful in a man. The men of the nomadic wodaabe tribe of the african sahara compete in an annual beauty contest judged by the women of the tribe. The wodaabe diet, which varies somewhat during the year, reflects their nomadic lifestyle. Herdsmen of the sun full movie in hd visit herzogs documentary of the wodaabe people of the saharasa.
Apr 10, 2015 15 things you didnt know about the wodaabe people posted on april 10, 2015 january 4, 2019 by alexis borochoff heralded as one of the most beautiful people in africa, the wodaabe people live a life where looking good is the norm. The wodaabe, also known as the mbororo or bororo, are a small subgroup of the fulani ethnic. The wodaabe refer to the fulani with equal disdain as wodaabe who lost their way. Wodaabe herdsmen of the sun, which portrays the saharan nomadic wodaabe tribe. Image of gerewol, celebration, competition 53068115. The wodaabes commitment to tradition earned them their name wodaabe in fulfulde language of the fulani, the literal meaning of which is the people of. Everyone knows who they are and where they come from. The wodaabe are nomads who live in the sahara desert in niger in africa. Documentary examining bokassas rule in the central african republic using the testimony of. The film explores the social rituals and cultural celebrations of the saharan nomadic wodaabe tribe. Mar 19, 2012 herdsmen of the sun tells of the wodaabe tribe, a nomadic african community selfdescribed as the most beautiful people on earth who annually practices a festival called gerewol, in which. In herdsmen of the sun, herzog records a rare, bright moment for the wodaabe, a tribe of nomads in the african sahel. Herzogs herdsmen of the sun, a documentary about the wodaabe. Once the weeklong festival is over, the wodaabe return to their daytoday life as nomadic herders.
Sep 17, 2009 wodaabe are nomads, migrating through much of the sahel from northern cameroon to chad, niger, and northeast nigeria. Soon after our arrival, we have an official meeting with a council of wodaabe elders, seated with their iconic sahelian tea set on mats rolled out under a big acacia tree to dodge the sweltering sun. Photo about wodaabe man dancing the yaake dance during gerewol at cure salee, niger. Heralded as one of the most beautiful people in africa, the wodaabe people live a life where looking good is the norm. Overview of herdsmen of the sun, 1991, directed by werner herzog, with at turner classic movies. Read on wikipedia edit history talk page print download pdf. Once the wodaabe were warriors and to this day the men will not step foot outside their hut, tent or camp without their sword strapped to their hip. The number of wodaabe was estimated in 2001 to be 100,000. The film explores the social rituals and cultural celebrations of the saharan nomadic wodaabe. The 1989 documentary wodaabe herdsmen of the sun by werner herzog. Herdsmen of the sun 1989 werner herzog doc about the. Herdsmen of the sun tells of the wodaabe tribe, a nomadic african community selfdescribed as the most beautiful people on earth who annually practices a festival called gerewol, in which.
Its pure beauty to see intact tribes, families, lineage. Herdsmen of the sun 1989 which mostly utilized the poetic mode. In the city, the wodaabe use their knowledge of herbs to make and sell concoction. Study 491 arth 1400 study guide 2011 12 teng flashcards from studyblue on studyblue. In the wodaabe tribe women can have as many sexual partners. A subgroup of the fulani people, the wodaabe are traditionally known as the bororo. This cultural sensitivity and selfconsciousness is hugely contrasted by herzogs film, wodaabe. The male beauty ideal of the wodaabe stresses tallness, white eyes and teeth. They are traditionally nomadic cattleherders and traders in the sahel.
Bororo means cattle herder and the toureg sometimes use the word bororo to taunt a wodaabe. Enter your location to see which movie theaters are playing wodaabe. Herdsmen of the sun documentary animation discourse. They belong to a larger group called the fulani but differ in several ways. Herzogs documentary of the wodaabe people of the saharasahel region. If herdsmen of the sun stands out in as a herzog film its because it. The daily lives of the wodaabe people of the sahara region and their elaborate courtship rituals. Particular focus is given to the gerewol celebration, which features an elaborate male beauty contest to win wives. It can be hard to find them as they travel a lot and the tracks of them are not able to be traced in the sand. Wodaabe are nomads, migrating through much of the sahel from northern cameroon to chad, niger, and northeast nigeria. Tribute to the most beautiful people on this earth and german director werner herzog.
The highly strange looking ritual dance is featured in the first moments of the documentary. The 1989 documentary wodaabe herdsmen of the sun by werner herzog describes the wodaabe. Herzog narrates this documentary short which examines the wodaabe, a nomadic tribe of herdsmen living along the southern edge of the sahara desert renowned for their physical beauty. The wodaabe people trace their origins to two brothers, ali and degereejo. A documentary chronicling dynast amirs journey to uncover his african roots. Arth 1400 study guide 201112 teng instructor teng at. Particular attention is given to the tribes spectacular courtship rituals and beauty pageants, where eligible young men strive to outshine each other and attract mates by means of lavish makeup, posturing and facial movements. In the wodaabe tribe women can have as many sexual. In 1988, the best rains in 60 years brought respite from the regions chronic drought and longdelayed markets, weddings, and festivals could be held. Strange and bright male beauty contest of the wodaabe tribe.
In a mating ritual, the men paint their faces yellow, considered a color of beauty, and dance for the women to the tribe. Exploring the social and cultural rituals of celebration of the wodaabe tribe of the sahara, much focus is given to their gerewol celebration featuring elaborate male beauty contests to win wives. In the film, herzog explores the social rituals and cultural celebrations of the. Other around them the hausa, fulani, and tuaeg regard the wodaabe as wild people. Wodaabe men pride themselves in their beauty and they woo and gain women through elaborate makeup and dance. The wodaabe, are the vainest of the african tribes and consider themselves the most beautiful. Once a year in a few select locations, their tribe gathers to celebrate the fantastic tradition of gerewol, often referred to in the popular press as a male beauty pageant. They relate to each other in much the same way as men and women relate to each other in all tribal societies. Here the color choice is symbolic red means courage and courage, ohrist mysticism, white death. The wodaabe tribe live in the sahel, an inhospitable desert which stretches across africa. Wodaabe man dancing the yaake dance, niger editorial. But during the long dry months of the year, millet is the main staple. Nov, 20 tribute to the most beautiful people on this earth and german director werner herzog. And even further will take place between november 1.
Everytime i see some pure tribe like this, i thank god and pray for their survival. Written by janea mark the wodaabe, of niger, are among the last of the nomadic tribes. Herdsmen of the sun is a 1989 documentary film by werner herzog. The sexually liberated woodabe are an ancient group of nomadic cattle herders who believe that they are the most beautiful people on earth. Every september the islamic polygamous tribe unite for a festival unlike any other in which they celebrate gerewol. Particular focus is given to the gerewol celebration, which features an elaborate male beauty contest to win wives although the film may be considered to be ethnographic, herzog. This male beauty contest collects the entire tribe.
The wodaabe keep largely to themselves and rarely marry outside of their own group, which has enabled them to keep their cultural and genetic identity pure. See more ideas about people of the world, world cultures and. Wodaabe women shielding from the sun religion although one of the first african tribes to convert to islam, they preserve many of their mbororo customs. Everyone works together for the common good of all. See more ideas about africa, people of the world and african tribes. Location, land, and climate wodaabe are nomads, migrating through much of the sahel from northern cameroon to chad, niger, and northeast nigeria. Wodaabe wannabes partvillage, partcity, the capital of niger revels in the traditions of its oncenomadic citizens.
Strange and bright male beauty contest of the wodaabe. Wodaabe clans then join for the remainder of the weeklong gerewol. They are known for their beauty both men and women, elaborate attire and rich cultural ceremonies. The wodaabe tribe, from central africa, has cultural that differs much from our own here in america. They make the wodaabe, already an incredibly tall and lean people, even taller. Men as brightly as possible dress up and paint faces in different colors. Closed until further notice contact me by email or phone for services that do not need to be in person. But this has nothing to do with gender roles, just with dressing up. A woman with an ugly husband will try to escape, a tribal woman shared. The wodaabe refer to the fulani with equal disdain as wodaabe who lost.
They follow the muslim rituals of prayer, fasting and pilgrimages, but because of their fear of the spirit world, they wear fetishes and charms, and practice rituals for protection. The men of the wodaabe tribe do not have a different gender role, and nor do the women. And even further will take place between november 1 11 and include films by herzog to be screened for the first time in turkey at istanbul modern, with topics ranging from volcanic mountains to the depths of the ocean and from african natives to buddhist priests. This man is inspired by the african culture, and he evokes the splendid regality of this native tribal africans presence. Richard barltrop is drawn into its uniquely african rhythms. Member of the wodaabe tribe began migrating to other are in the late 1960s because of severe recurring drought which killed off their cattle. The last nomads in the area, the wodaabe number between 160,000 and 200,000. They are traditionally nomadic cattleherders and traders in the sahel, with migrations stretching from southern niger, through northern nigeria, northeastern cameroon, southwestern chad, western region of the central african republic and the northeastern of the democratic. In fact, no selfrespecting man, it is said, would be without his pocket mirror. There are many indigenous tribes throughout africa, but none of them are centered around beauty like the. They walk everywhere and can endure the punishing saharan sun.
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