DRESS Niger1 - RPCV Madison
we all dress
© 1998 Chris Jameson
Niger
Dressed to Compete in Camel Race
The Waadabe are a group of people within the Fuiani of Niger. Usually nomadic, they come together at certain times throughout the year for special events. The gatherings allow them to visit with friends and family that they may not have seen since the previous year, to announce recent births and marriages, sing, dance and participate in competitions and ceremonies. One of the most important of these special occasions is the Geerewol, the “dance of beauty,” which occurs after the rainy season. Young men dress up in their finest garments and adorn themselves with makeup to enhance their beauty. They sing and dance, competing for the honor of being named the most beautiful, and thereby gain the attention of the young women. Other events also occur during the Geerewol. There are other dancing and singing contests for the men and women. There is also a competition to judge which suudu (family shelter) has the best display of family possessions. One of the most exciting events is camel racing. Here the contestants race their camels at breakneck speeds in an effort to show off their mounts, with the camel that looks and performs the best being awarded first place. The men in the photo are dressed to compete in the camel races. (The outfits worn for the dancing are much different.) Also shown are the richly embroidered camel blankets that cushion the saddles and add to the beauty of the camels. -- Chris Jameson, Peace Corps/Niger, 1993-97 Niger (Republic of Niger) Capital Niamey Population 15,306,252 (2009 est.) Life Expectancy 52.6 years Literacy 28.7% (age 15 and over can read and write) Languages French (official), Hausa, Djerma Religions Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20% Government republic Source: The World Factbook, 2009
This photo appears on the we all dress International Poster, produced by the RPCVs of Wisconsin-Madison, 2009. For more information and to order a complete set of full-size posters, see http://www.rpcvmadison.org/
© 1998 Chris Jameson
Niger
Dressed to Compete in Camel Race
The Waadabe are a group of people within the Fuiani of Niger. Usually nomadic, they come together at certain times throughout the year for special events. The gatherings allow them to visit with friends and family that they may not have seen since the previous year, to announce recent births and marriages, sing, dance and participate in competitions and ceremonies. One of the most important of these special occasions is the Geerewol, the “dance of beauty,” which occurs after the rainy season. Young men dress up in their finest garments and adorn themselves with makeup to enhance their beauty. They sing and dance, competing for the honor of being named the most beautiful, and thereby gain the attention of the young women. Other events also occur during the Geerewol. There are other dancing and singing contests for the men and women. There is also a competition to judge which suudu (family shelter) has the best display of family possessions. One of the most exciting events is camel racing. Here the contestants race their camels at breakneck speeds in an effort to show off their mounts, with the camel that looks and performs the best being awarded first place. The men in the photo are dressed to compete in the camel races. (The outfits worn for the dancing are much different.) Also shown are the richly embroidered camel blankets that cushion the saddles and add to the beauty of the camels. -- Chris Jameson, Peace Corps/Niger, 1993-97 Niger (Republic of Niger) Capital Niamey Population 15,306,252 (2009 est.) Life Expectancy 52.6 years Literacy 28.7% (age 15 and over can read and write) Languages French (official), Hausa, Djerma Religions Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20% Government republic Source: The World Factbook, 2009
This photo appears on the we all dress International Poster, produced by the RPCVs of Wisconsin-Madison, 2009. For more information and to order a complete set of full-size posters, see http://www.rpcvmadison.org/
