LEFT TO THEIR OWN These children have been left to care for themselves while their parents are on climate-induced exodus. They have limited access to food and water, and no access to health care. Older Read more…
Tag: fulani
Hope
HOPE: Before I end my “Children of the Azawak” series to move on to my “Father’s Day” series, I want to thank everyone who has joined this journey of love for humanity, and in particular, these gorgeous children. I hope that through their beauty, you have sensed their being, if only for a fraction of a second… that you have witnessed their dignity as much as their daily suffering. Read more…
Flying Bags of Poop
FLYING BAGS OF POOP: I was exhausted from the day’s heat, and tired of conducting questionnaires. Even though my research was fascinating, I wanted to play with kids, and take a break from the gruel of my work. I had spent all day walking from one household to another in the village of Goumbi Kanno, conducting interviews with women to inquire about their hygiene and sanitation practices. I was feeling a little strange asking such personal questions to women I hardly knew. A break was in order. Read more…
Can Your Culture Make you Healthier?
CAN YOUR CULTURE MAKE YOU HEALTHIER? This Fulani girl is from the village of Goumbi Kanno, near Niger’s border with Nigeria. At the time that I met her, I was working for CARE International, conducting breastfeeding education among the mothers of Goumbi Kanno, a village composed of both the Hausa and Fulani ethnic groups. I was living on the Hausa side of the village, and my first – very judgemental! — impression of Kanno was that it was filthy and neglected. Read more…
The Anassara (White) Genie
THE ANASSARA (WHITE) GENIE: The day I encountered this child, I had spent the day driving through the wild grasslands of the Azawak. Evening was closing in, and Moustapha, my research assistant, was set on finding a Touareg camp to rest for the night. But before we found one, we spotted a Fulani family that had set up their camp near a ravine. I told Moustapha that I wanted to camp at this spot, near the family. I was excited to possibly interview them for my research. He was skeptical and displeased. He did not want to camp with these strangers. I insisted. Read more…
From Gerewols to Schools
FROM GEREWOLS TO SCHOOLS: Fada, adorned with charm talismans, a round feather- topped hat and a Tuareg saber, came bouncing toward me as I struggled to walk through through prickly burrs. “Hey, follow me, I’ll show you where it’s best to step,” he said. “Come to my camp. It’s just over that dune.” Two hours and about 2,000 prickly burrs later, with a herd of long-horned cows following, we arrived at his home: a wooden bed and a table covered with calabashes. Read more…
Popularity Contest
POPULARITY CONTEST: In this photo Deegii, a Wodaabe Fulani man, admires himself as he prepares himself for the Gerewul dance, a traditional Fulani “popularity contest” or male beauty pageant. The Fulani are obsessed with beauty, and men are equally, if not more coquettish than their female counterparts. Read more…
Desert Magicians
DESERT MAGICIANS: The fulani are known for their great knowledge of lore and magic. They make magical potions out of wild plants and tree bark, ranging anywhere from traditional healing remedies for ailments of all kind, to magic love potions. Read more…
From Magic Potions to Prostitutions
FROM MAGIC POTIONS TO PROSTITUTION: I wrote the story of “Gotchi and Satchi” (see my thirteen previous posts) for my eldest son, to share with him the story of the Wodaabe women of Couloubade village, and their lives as seasonal migrant workers. Amman Imman has been working with these women since 2014 to help improve their conditions and reduce their time away from home. Read more…