Guerewol dance is a tribal dance performed in the annual courtship festival of Guerewol. Guerewol dance, referred to as “Woodabe Fula”, is performed by the Woodabe tribal community from Niger, Africa. This “ritualistic” dance apparently, is performed by young men to try and woo young women. Furthermore, this dance is performed by the Woodabe tribe annually during the Guerewol festival, also known as “Curee Salee” held in the month of September. In addition, this dance involves the use of ornaments, and the use of traditional face paintings.
a. History/origin of the Guerewol Dance:
This dance style was essentially created by a Western African tribal community called “Woodabe Fula” belonging to Niger. It is at the end of monsoons in September that the “Fula” tribe travels to a town called In-Gall to collect salt. Furthermore, they also travel to this town to participate in a festival known as “Curie Salee”, an event where several nomadic groups get an opportunity to meet and interact with one and another. It is thus during this festival that young men belonging to the “Fula” tribe use this style of dancing to impress young females belonging to other nomadic tribes. In addition, the beauty of the males belonging to the “Fula” tribe is eventually judged by females during this festival.
b. Costumes used in the Guerewol Dance:
The costume worn by the performers (males) include an uncovered upper body adorned with heavy ornaments, a colourful cloth wrapped around the waist to cover the lower body, a headgear that comprises of a feather, and the use of face painting.
c. Music involved in the Guerewol Dance:
The music used in this dance form mainly includes group singing, and is followed by the dancers clapping and stomping. In addition, the musical instrument mainly used is bells.
d. Training availability and technique involved in the Guerewol Dance:
In terms of technique, this dance basically consist of performers (males) initially forming a circle. They then interlink with each other using their arms, and rise and fall on their toes to the hypnotic form of repetitive group singing and music generated by the bells. As for training centres/schools, there are none available throughout the globe since this “ritualistic” dance style is mainly performed by a tribal community called “Woodabe Fula” located in Niger.