Grooms Fair, or How is the beauty contest among men in Niger
Women's beauty contests have long become familiar, but among the representatives of the strong half of humanity, such competitions are rare. The inhabitants of the Wodaabe tribe living in Niger really know a lot about male charm. A holiday is held here every year, where men compete for the title of the very best. Competitors are evaluated by women, and if they wish, they can take any of them as husbands!
(Total 14 photos)
1. Beauty contest among men in the Wodaabe tribe (Niger). The contestants lined up in front of the jury
2. Usually, men prepare for the competition in advance: they decorate outfits with bright accessories, and apply yellow ocher to their faces. The holiday traditionally opens with a parade, the brave warriors of the tribe dance and sweat right in the middle of the desert to impress the strict judges. Among the criteria by which the contenders are evaluated are the beauty of the face, high growth and grace, the originality of the outfit, the brightness of the eyes and the whiteness of the smile.
3. Impressive outfits with bright accessories
4. Spectacular headdress
5. Jewelry, body painting and bright ornaments on clothes
The main revered values in the life of this tribe are beauty, livestock and family. Since ancient times, this tribe has been engaged in cattle breeding, today most of the clans are engaged in the supply of meat, feed the population from Lake Chad to the Atlantic coast of Senegal.
6. Men of the Wodaabe tribe in national skirts
7. Healthy teeth are one of the criteria for beauty.
8. Expressive eyebrows and lips
An unusual holiday-competition takes place in September at the end of the rainy season before the start of the annual migration of animals. The action was called "Gerevol", it unites residents of various clans. In addition to the beauty contest, young people come here to take part in camel races, as well as in an unusual marriage ceremony. Women who appreciate the dexterity and beauty of men have the right to choose their husband among the contestants.
9. Men dream of finding their love on this holiday.
10. Almost Hollywood smiles of men from the Wodaabe tribe (Niger)
11. Women of the Wodaabe tribe are recognized as one of the most beautiful in Africa.
Competitions are held for several days under the scorching sun in the middle of the Sahara. To keep fit, locals often drink a special infusion on the bark of trees, which has a hallucinogenic effect. Apparently, from this their movements really become more plastic, and their smile becomes wider.
12. Ritual dance
13. Male beauty pageant
14. Preparation for the holiday, make-up
Keywords: Groom | Beauty pageant | Men | Niger | Sahara | Fair