Nomads who Cultivate Beauty

Wod̳aab̳e Dances and Visual Arts in Niger

• Author(s): Mette Bovin,
• Publisher: Nordic Africa Institute
• Pages: 110
• ISBN_10: 9171064672
  ISBN_13: 9789171064677
  
• Language: en
• Categories: Political Science / General , Religion / General , Social Science / Anthropology / Cultural & Social , Social Science / Customs & Traditions , Social Science / Ethnic Studies / American / Native American Studies , Social Science / Developing & Emerging Countries ,

Description:... "The author describes Wodaabe cultural choices as "active archaisation". Different art forms are analysed in the light of identity construction by the Wodaabe. Their elaborate cultivation of beauty in make-up, tattoos, body paintings, calabash carvings, embroideries, and architecture all follow the principle of symmetry and order in the cosmos. The author emphasizes the gendered aspects of social life and identity construction and explores masculinity among nomadic Wodaabe men, who are living sculptures displaying their beauty as a spiritual act, full of honour and dignity."--BOOK JACKET.