Tuesday 18 March 2014

Strange culture: Sharo, the fulani's festival of flogging to get a wife.

Fulani are the largest migratory ethnic group in the world. They are
among the "super" ethnic groups of Africa with members numbering 30
million and above and spread over western part of African continent. Fulani people despite embracing Islam still practise their culture and. traditions, and one of such is Sharo cultural festival or Tradition festival of flogging. The Sharo cultural festival is a very unique festival observed by the fulani tribes of Nigeria and some other West-African countries.

Sharo is a test of bravery, a rite of passage to adulthood and marriage
ritual ceremonies . According to the Fulani custom of sharo, rival suitors underwent the ordeal of flogging as a means of eliminating those who are less persistent. The
point, however, is that the victim being beaten does not flinch but shows utter indifference to pain and even sneers at his attacker. If he is able to achieve this, his family and friends surround him with joy, offering gifts and congratulations and he's consider worthy of a woman to marry.

The significance of this festival is that the lashing of the groom is to determine the willingness to endure marital pains and ability to undergo hard ship for his wife. But the sad part of it is that many people lose their lives while proving
their manhood.





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