wodaabe tribe
he most important, rainy-season celebration
among the Bororo happens weeks after the Worso celebrations. It is called
Geerewol, and it is a celebration joining two lineages for seven days of
dancing and celebration of beauty. Not only does it allow two lineages to join
together in celebration, but the Geerewol provides an opportunity for young
Bororo men and women to find attachments outside of their circle of cousins.
The week-long celebration is centered around dance and beauty marathons. Two
dances, the yaake and the geerewol, take precedence in the celebration, and it
is these two dances that give the men a chance to show off their charm, beauty,
and ability to attract women.
The yaake, or charm competition, requires
much preparation by the men. Men devote many hours before the yaake to make
themselves beautiful. They apply extravagant facial make-up and wear elaborate
clothes to show off their attractiveness. A pale yellow powder is heavily
applied to the dancers face, and black kohl is applied to highlight the
whiteness of the teeth and eyes. A line running from the forehead to the chin
helps elongate the men's nose, and many men shave their hairline to show off
their forehead.
Once the men have prepared them-selves
physically, they join together, shoulder to shoulder, and begin their dance. In
a chorus line style, the men tiptoe forward to show off their height and
display their charm by exaggerated facial expressions and sounds. Eyes roll,
cheeks tremble, and teeth flash. Their cheeks inflate like a fish and then
collapse again, and lips purse, part and tremble. A man will roll his right eye
in and out, which is a talent that is highly recognized and valued. Meanwhile,
elders of the group taunt the dancers, attempting to force them to try harder
and show more of their magnetism. The men are being judged on their charm,
magnetism and personality. It is not necessarily the most beautiful man that
wins the yaake, but it is the one with the most "togu", or magnetism
and charm, that will emerge the victor.
he geerewol dance is the most rigorous and
prestigious dance of the celebration, and only the most beautiful men take
part. The men take the same delicate and lengthy preparations for the geerewol
dance, but their appearance is different. The men wear the same dress: tight
white wrappers bound at the knees, strings of white beads crisscrossing bare
chests, and turbans of ostrich feathers and cowrie shells. Their faces are
painted red, and they line up for two hours of frenzied dancing and chanting. Those who feel that their competition is too
great often voluntarily withdraw from the challenge. Those who remain
eventually replace their ostrich feathers with horsetail plumes, signifying the
next level of competition. The dancing becomes harder, more wild, and more
intense. This is a beauty contest, and the judges are three unwed young women
who have been chosen by the elders by their beauty. Concealing their judging
eyes with their left hand, they nit-pick the dancers, looking for the most
beautiful man. In turn, the men use every facial expression and body movement
they can to attract the judges favor. The young women are looking for precise
characteristics in the men: tall, lithe limbs with graceful movements, long,
straight hair perfectly braided in a beautiful style, and light, smooth skin. A
slender nose, thin lips, sparkling white eyeballs and teeth, and an elongated
face are desirable. A high forehead, long fingers, large eyes and a long neck
are ideal.
kayapo tribe
A
Kayapo chief wears ceremonial feathers as part of his
headdress. A headdress made out of
bright golden-yellow feathers looks like the rays of the sun. Particular family links are indicated
by the use of matching parrot feathers.
The feathers signify initiation into adulthood. Other ornaments include beads, cotton bands, or
shells, which women also wear.
Body paint is an important addition for
men, women, and children alike. It is
not a casual form of make-up. The specific markings and occasions for wearing it are linked to
particular rituals and activities.
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