True
Earnings
Feed
Sessions
CareerHub
NEW
Post insight
About
Sponsor a Session
FAQs
Contact
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Login
Create account
Earnings
NEW
How to earn on TwoCents
Rankings
CareerHub
NEW
Feed
Sessions
Spaces
About
Contact
FAQs
Terms of Use
Login
Create account
510;
Asiogu Ugochukwu
Global Security enthusiast
859
15400
88
17
In
History and Culture
•
3 min read
•
Jan 14, 2023 04:54a.m.
Sharo Festival: The true test of African Masculinity?
Listen to this Insight
<span class="html-content"><p>I used to think that African men were moulded not with clay just like others, but with mineral resources like Zinc, Columbite, Coal or Gold. The reason behind this thought is based on the fact that African men are one of the toughest, strongest and courageous beings on the planet earth. They are strong-willed, highly traditional and goal-oriented. This equally explains why they prioritise their cultural heritage because while it projects their status symbol, it also gives them a sense of responsibility to protect and defend their society. In regard to protecting and defending whatever they deem dear to them at all cost, the calibre of African men that come to mind is the Fulanis. </p> <p>The term "Sharo" is of Fulani origin which literally means 'to flog..' Sharo is a renowned and highly revered tradition of the Fulanis whereby two suitors seek for a woman's hand in marriage and battle it out through flogging competition. Flogging competition? In this 21st century? Yes, you heard that right. It is a flogging competition that is usually carried out to ascertain If a young man is mature enough to go through the pains of becoming a man and withstanding the challenges that the responsibility of familyhood brings. The event also presents an intense situation where two men have to courageously plan to take out each other with the sole aim of marrying their wives. </p> <p>In the course of event, the competing men would be accompanied by friends and family who would be motivating them to to absorb as much pain as they could and not shed tears, nor shout during flogging. As the rules of the competition hold, if a man sheds tears during the process, he would be considered weak and consequently, would be rejected by the woman's the woman's family. </p> <p>In Northern Nigeria, the Sharo Festival begins with different kinds of skits from maiden dancers though the primary focus of the festival takes effect with the arrival of bare-chested single young men who are accompanied to the centre ring by pretty young maidens. During the display, spectators are expected to cheer the contenders whose families are engrossed with much expectations, wishes and prayers of not to be disgraced by their sons. Having been put to the know that the absorption of pains have its limits contenders are fond of making recitations of motivating mantras when the flogging begins. While the Sharo is going on, the youths acting as referees meticulously observe the exercise closely ensuring that strokes are adequately administered. </p> <p>Each of the contenders are expected to put his whip on the rival's body for at least ten times and at the end of the event, whoever that survives the brutal exercise is successfully incorporated into manhood and is expressly granted the right to marry the girl over which the competition took place. It is necessary to point out that a Fulani man can marry as many as four wives as long as they are fit and ready to withstand more pains.</p> <p>To these men, the scars they get in the course of the flogging remains a sign of respect and ego. They see it as the true test of maturity and adulthood in society. The Sharo Festival has remained one of the most interesting marriage ceremonies across the globe where instead of the groom rejoicing, he is either nursing his wounds or developing scars of brutal pains. </p> <p>What else can be better used to explain to the future generations how their ancestors 'wiped cord' on each other's bodies in order to pick their wives and how this truly proved their maturity?</p><p><br></p> </span>
Sharo Festival: The true test of African Mascul...
By
Asiogu Ugochukwu
Your browser does not support the audio element.
Play
0:00
/
0:00
Send tip
2
408
0
Asiogu Ugochukwu
is the most viewed writer in
History and Culture,
Leadership.
follow
Other insights from Asiogu Ugochukwu
Asiogu Ugochukwu
The Yoruba Judicial Mechanism For Curbing Promiscuity
In
History and Culture
Generally, the African culture forbids sexual recklessness. It abho...
Asiogu Ugochukwu
The Significance And Interpretation Of Kolanut Cotyledons.
In
History and Culture
I am very much aware that most of my readers would be bothered abou...
Asiogu Ugochukwu
The Local World Of Local People
In
History and Culture
Most times I am intrigued by the level at which I become engrossed...
Asiogu Ugochukwu
The Spitting People Of Massai Tribe
In
History and Culture
One of the demerits of "civilisation" is that it is biased in its ...
Asiogu Ugochukwu
Who Said Women Were Not Powerful In Pre-Colonial Nigerian...
In
History and Culture
Prior to the advent of Westernisation to this part of the world, ...
Asiogu Ugochukwu
Opening The Page Of Nigeria's Most Educated Musical Icon ...
In
History and Culture
Officially named Victor Efosa Uwaifo, he was born in Benin City, Ed...
Asiogu Ugochukwu
God Is A God Of All Religions, Including The African Tra...
In
History and Culture
I have always believed that the beauty of religion lies in the pe...
Asiogu Ugochukwu
The African Kingdom Where The Bride's Aunt Tests The Groo...
In
History and Culture
When it comes to marriage and sexual preparedness as the elements o...
Asiogu Ugochukwu
What In The Name Of Yoga Is 'Hakini Mundra '?
In
People and Society
To an average Nigerian who definitely does not 'like stress ' but o...
Asiogu Ugochukwu
A Discourse On Imo's Renowned Musical Maestro - Sir Warrior
In
History and Culture
Formally known as Christognus Ezebuiro Obinna, born in 1947,, Sir W...
Insights for you.
Asiogu Ugochukwu
Global Security enthusiast
In History and Culture
The significance of Nzu (White Chalk) in Igbo Culture
Nzu (White Chalk) is a very significant substance in Igbo culture. It is a symbol of purity, innocence, peace and progress. Nzu, as it Is cal...
2211 views
4 upvotes
0 comments
Asiogu Ugochukwu
Global Security enthusiast
In History and Culture
The Symbolic Representation of Ose Oji (Alligator Pepper)...
Alligator Pepper, Mbongo spice or Ose Oji as it is called by Igbo people of Southeastern Nigeria is a West African spice that is extracted from the...
753 views
3 upvotes
0 comments
Asiogu Ugochukwu
Global Security enthusiast
In History and Culture
The significance and interpretation of Kolanut cotyledons.
I am very much aware that most of my readers would be bothered about why I have decided to write again on Kolanut. But you see, the truth remains t...
705 views
4 upvotes
0 comments
Asiogu Ugochukwu
Global Security enthusiast
In History and Culture
LIP STRETCHING AMONG THE WOMEN OF SURMA IN ETHIOPIA AND S...
Even though I have said it once in one of my articles, I will continue to say it until it sinks into the heart and minds of every of the people. Af...
549 views
2 upvotes
0 comments
Asiogu Ugochukwu
Global Security enthusiast
In History and Culture
Would Nigeria's Bola A. Tinubu earn himself a spotlight i...
As we all know, before something is documented into the Guinness Book of Records, it must be either positively or negatively unusual. In fact, such...
498 views
2 upvotes
0 comments
Asiogu Ugochukwu
Global Security enthusiast
In History and Culture
The Yoruba Judicial Mechanism for Curbing Promiscuity
Generally, the African culture forbids sexual recklessness. It abhors sexual irresponsibility from both men and women. Little wonder, it permits po...
477 views
3 upvotes
0 comments
Asiogu Ugochukwu
Global Security enthusiast
In History and Culture
Do Not Kill That Elephant, It Could Be Your Kinsman
Culture they say is man's sure bet to unlocking the keys to his existence. It is man's most significant compass to understanding his root, his past...
474 views
4 upvotes
0 comments
Asiogu Ugochukwu
Global Security enthusiast
In History and Culture
A Peep At The Famous Kalacuta Republic
It would be quite unsurprising if I am told that those who were born in the late 90s and even 2000s do not know about the famous Kalacuta Republic ...
472 views
2 upvotes
0 comments
Asiogu Ugochukwu
Global Security enthusiast
In History and Culture
Imo Heritage: A Discourse on the "Jewel of the South".
Life can be well understood when it is likened to the rhythmic flow and pattern of a song. It is either the tone rises and falls or it falls and r...
470 views
4 upvotes
0 comments
Jefferson Nnadiekwe
Freelance scriptwriter and creat...
Lagos, Nigeria
In History and Culture
THE OSU CASTE SYSTEM
You might have heard of the Osu caste system in Igbo land. In case you haven't, this is a system of ostracization of certain people who have been j...
444 views
1 upvote
0 comments
×
Comments
Share thread
Refresh
×
cancel
Home
Feed
Earnings
CareerHub
Menu
What is TwoCents?
×
×
Share the feed
×
Copy link
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Whatsapp
Share this post
×
Copy link
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Whatsapp
×
Insights
Views
Upvotes
Comments
Contributor score
WELCOME
TwoCents is a knowledge marketplace for Africans around the globe.
TWOCENTS
TwoCents offets you a unique opportunity to write and earn from your content.
COMPLETE YOUR PROFILE
Add your City, Bio, Phone Number, Occupation etc.
BUILD YOUR CONTRIBUTOR SCORE
Write insights, share in your network, build your score.
GET VERIFIED
Get a 100+ score, complete a 5-week streak, become verified.
TIPS
Get tipped for your free insights/content
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Receive subscriptions from your most loyal readers.
AD REVENUE
Get a share of what brands pay to advertise on your insight pages.
HELP GROW TWOCENTS
Read, tip and subscribe to content you find informative or interesting.
Q&A SESSIONS
Check out some Q&A sessions, drop a question, comment, share etc.
WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY
Write. Share. Earn
Previous
Next
Close
Share this post
×
Copy link
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Whatsapp
Share this post
×
Copy link
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn
Whatsapp
Crop photo.
If "Crop" and "Cancel" buttons are not visible, scroll down.
×
The photo you are trying to upload is too large.
Please upload a photo smaller than 4MB.
×
The file you are trying to upload is not an image.
Please upload an image of the following types - PNG, JPEG, JPG, GIF, BMP
×
For best results, be as descriptive as possible. Please refrain from using explicit, obscene or hateful words.
Hyper-realistic
Turning on "Hyper-realistic" will generate hyper-real and dramatic images. Leaving it off will produce more natural, less hyper-real looking images.
Generate Image
Use Image
Clear Image
At least 800 characters — We recommend keeping your insights around 5000 characters, and breaking them into parts if they go over this limit. You can save your insights as drafts and they will update as you type. On the EDIT page, you can link this insight to a series, generate audio etc.
×
Login to share insight
×
Oops!
Looks like
isn't setup to receive tips.
Be sure to check back later!
Close
×
Oops!
Looks like you have not setup your account to send and receieve tips.
No worries!
Click here to add your card details
Be sure to contact us if you have any questions!
×
Let
know you love
their content by sending a tip!
Show support.
Support beyond an upvote, comment or share.
Help grow TwoCents.
Encouraging other writers ensures quality insights.
Send Online
Copy tip link
Close
×
Subscribe to
's
premium insights.
Go premium.
Choose between a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Help grow TwoCents.
Every subscription encourages the contributor and ensures quality insights.
Send Online
Copy sub link
Close
×
Oops!
Looks like
isn't setup to receive subscriptions.
Be sure to check back later!
Close
↑