TwoCents | Sharo Festival: The true test of African Masculinity?

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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?

Other insights from Ugochukwu Asiogu