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: 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 PUNKS: Wodaabe women, like the men, venerate beauty. They have their faces tattooed during childhood, and wear their hair in large intriguing hairstyles: the back is braided, and the front is worn in a large, punk-like doo, covered with barrettes and other adornments. They love colorful garments, have many piercings, and cover themselves in ornate jewelry. Their herbal perfumes often hide the magic of a spell…
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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…
GOTCHI AND SATCHI: (part thirteen, the end) “Where is your father? I must see him,” Binta asked the children. Just at that moment, she lifted her head, and saw in the distance a sight that filled her weary heart with such happiness that she cried even harder. “Gotchi, look, look over there!” she sobbed. Read more…
GOTCHI AND SATCHI: (part twelve) Days became indistinguishable from one another. Gotchi had no sense of how long it had been since they had left their village. She could hardly remember the day she had begun this journey, when her heart had been filled with eagerness and hope. Read more…
GOTCHI AND SATCHI: (part eleven) Gotchi felt numb. She thought achingly of Satchi. Without money, she lost all hope of seeing her beloved friend again. She thought of all their hard work, and she thought of her father, brothers and sisters. The rains had still not come. Without money, would they all die of hunger? Of thirst? Read more…
GOTCHI AND SATCHI (part ten… short story continued) After many months of wandering, Binta and Gotchi saved enough money to return home. They traveled back to the big city; Gotchi was no longer afraid of the bus. All she could think about was seeing her brothers and sisters. She fell asleep, each bump bringing her closer to home. Read more…
GOTCHI AND SATCHI: (part nine, short story continued) After almost a month squatting in the mosquito-infested market, Binta abruptly announced, “It’s time for us to leave. Read more…