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…
Read more…
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…
RED RIBBON: MARIAMA
In this photo, Mariama proudly displays the red ribbon that I gave to her, upon my arrival back in Tangarwashane after almost a year away. Like her other girlfriends, she came running up to me chanting “Alzhara, Alzhara”, and cheered with glee when I pulled out a red ribbon for her and the other girls. They all immediately attached the ribbons in their braided hair, creating a harmonious unison of flowing red throughout the village. Read more…