In the vast Sahel region of West Africa lives the Fulani ethnic group known as the Wodaabe tribe. They are known for their colorful traditions, vibrant culture, and most interestingly, the unique Gerewol festival, which captures the essence of their wife-stealing culture.
While this practice is a taboo that may never be accepted in many parts of Africa, the Wodaabe people care less about what anyone thinks. Their men strongly believe that they are the most handsome men in the world and even carry mirrors to marvel at their beauty.
The Wife Stealing Festival Takes Place During the Gerewol Festival
At the end of the rainy season every year, the Wodaabe people gather for Gerewol – a fertility festival of dance, music, beauty, and courtship that lasts for seven days and nights. The most interesting practice of the festival is the beauty contest where the men compete and the women judge.
The men adorn themselves with vibrant face painting using red clay while the cheek and down the bridge of the nose is contoured with white makeup and their lips are painted black to further enhance the whiteness of their teeth. Their skin is stained with saffron or ochre-colored clay to create yellow and red hues. They also twist their hair into long braids and add shells that hang down their back. No wonder they are referred to as “The vainest people in the world”.
To look even more handsome, they decorate themselves with jewelry, ostrich feathers, and other accessories. This preparation is very important as it is the only way to attract potential suitors. As such, they take about 6 hours to get ready on that day.
During the festival, the men line up in a row and begin to display beauty to captivate the hearts of female judges and other women watching from the crowd. They showcase their dancing skills called the “yaake”, singing abilities, and exaggerated facial expression which includes puffing out their cheeks and rolling their eyes.
While this display is on, the judges would carefully observe the men and access their beauty and charm until attraction strikes and a winner emerges who gets to have sex with the judge even if they are both married. In some cases, she can also consent to being stolen from her husband and remarry one of the winners.
The contestants are also free to approach the woman they desire and express interest. The women are also at liberty to accept or reject them and if she decides to say yes, she becomes his wife and they are recognized as a legitimate union. This earns the man respect and status within the tribe.
Even though it is called the wife’s stealing, the practice is consensual as the woman decides whether she wants to be stolen or not and this decision is respected by the community. However, husband’s who do not want their wives to get stolen can forbid them from attending the ceremony. Well, it is said that a woman with an ugly woman wll try to attend.
The Wodaabe People Practice Multiple Marriages
The tribe is a polygamous one hence both men and women can marry multiple times. If a woman who is already married admires a man, she can make him her second husband and if the man steals a wife without being caught, she becomes one of his wives. This practice allows them to express their desirability.
While the practice of having multiple partners is allowed, it is commonly observed among men compared to women. This is so because having multiple wives within the tribe is regarded as a symbol of status, wealth, and power. It also demonstrates the man’s ability to provide and protect his family.
Asides from this, there is no shame in a married man or woman having other lovers. Hence during the wife stealing festival, the women may just desire to have sex with the man who captivates her heart. And this brings no pressure for the wife to leave her husband.
Read Also: 10 Shocking Beauty Practices Across Africa
Do The Wodaable People Practice Divorce?
Yes, divorce is recognized and acceptable in the culture of the people and can be initiated by either the husband or the wife and it is in most cases a mutual agreement. The reasons for divorce can can include issues such as incompatibility, jealousy, lack of harmony, or any other factor.
However, before divorce becomes an option, both families may try to resolve the conflict and maintain the integrity of the marital bond as the Wodaabe people value stability and the preservation of family units.
Major Dangers of the Wife Stealing Practice
Even though wife stealing by the Wodaabe people is an age-long practice that has been rooted in the traditions of the people, there are a number of dangers associated with this practice and some of these include;
Emotional Impact: As hinted earlier, husbands who do not want their wives to be stolen can restrict them from participating in the festival. However, individuals who get involved can be left emotionally distressed as a result of jealousy, rivalry, and turmoil among wives and potential suitors. Likewise, the uncertainty surrounding the festival can lead to anxiety and emotional strain.
Social Stigma: Over time, individuals that do not participate in the wife-stealing competition are considered less desirable within the community. This would in the long run affect their self-esteem and sense of belonging.
Disruption of Existing Marriage: Even though the Wodaabe people practice polygamy, some cases of wife stealing end the existence of the previous marriage as a woman may just decide to leave her previous marriage to start and build a new family. This would result in broken families and emotional upheaval.
Gender Inequality: This practice encourages men to take more wives as it symbolizes wealth and power within the community. However, women are often thought of as objects of exchange and this can perpetuate gender inequality.
Lack of Consent: Even though the decision to be made a man’s wife is often mutual, the woman is sometimes pressured to participate in the festival by her family or society. As such, their expectations may influence her decision leading to compromise.
The Wife Stealing Culture of The Wodaabe People has Other Symbolic Meanings
This practice by the Wodaable people is not solely about acquiring spouses as a lot of people think. We garnered that it is also seen as the way to connect with their ancestors, honor beauty as a gift, and maintain the balance of power within the community.
The wife stealing practice during the Wodaable festival though unconventional to outsiders offers fascinating insights into the tradition, beliefs, and social dynamics of the people. It remains a unique culture that still practiced today.
