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Francophone African Textile Gallery Part Two Page 10

CODE #: fr222

PRICE: US$795

Measurement:   59ins x 18ins, 150cm x 46cm

These men's tunics  are worn on ceremonial occasions by the nomadic Fulani group known as the Wodaabe  in the Republic of Niger.  Today most live in semi-permanent settlements and herd their cattle over relatively short distances, but the Wodaabe regard themselves as remaining true to the traditional ideals of Fulani life known as pulaaku. In the rainy season rival  Wodaabe lineages gather together for festivals that sometimes culminate in the gerewol (or jeerewol,) the most serious dance in which young men show off their beauty, highlighted by elaborate makeup, jewellery and dress. The costumes below are worn for other, less ritually charged, dances, especially the yaake, which is also a kind of male beauty contest. They are embroidered by hand by young women on hand woven cloth of  tiny narrow strips only about a centimetre in width. The embroidery motifs are abstract representations of aspects of Wodaabe life such as the encampment, the calf rope, sandals, spiders, snakes, prayer board, etc. Similar motifs are found on calabash carvings and tattoos. For more information see Mette Bovin "Nomads who cultivate beauty" (2001, Nordiska Afrikaininstitutet) This is an unusually large example in excellent condition. It is approx 35 years old. 

(c) Duncan Clarke, Version 12/31/07