PHOTOGRAPHS

BY

ROSEMARY SHEEL

 Woodabe man checks himself in mirrorWoodabe men participate in GeerewolA long line of Woodabe men in Geerewol  

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 NIGER'S SAHEL: THE WOODABE TRIBE ---GEEREWOL AND YAAKE CEREMONIES

THE WOODABE PICTURED HERE ARE PART OF THE FULANI TRIBE. THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST TRIBES IN SAHARAN AFRICA. THE FULANI ARE NOTED FOR THEIR FINE FEATURES. THEY ARE TALL AND SLIM AND ONCE WERE WARRIORS. EVEN TODAY EVERY WOODABE MAN CARRIES HIS SWORD AT ALL TIMES. THEY DO NOT SHOW THEIR EMOTIONS. IT IS CONSIDERED BAD FORM TO SHOW ANGER ESPECIALLY.  THE WOODABE OR FULANI WOMEN ARE CONSIDERED TO BE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF ALL IN THE SAHARA. IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR FULANI WOMEN TO TATOO THEIR LIPS A BLUE COLOR.  EVEN THOUGH THE FULANI PROFESS TO BE MUSLIM, THEIR WOMEN DO NOT VEIL NOR IS SEX PROSCRIBED FOR YOUNG PEOPLE...OR EVEN OLD PEOPLE.