By Shehu Uthman
The Fulani tribe also known as Fula or Peul, are speakers of Fulfulde, who live in many countries in Western part of sub Saharan Africa. The Fulanis are mostly herders, embedded with multiple attitudes admired by many. These good attitudes include courage, assiduously, honesty, discipline and promise fulfillment.
They have the custom of speeding up their marriage ceremonies in a certain way. Sharo (roughly “flogging”) is a common term used to describe the Fulani marriage rite. Sharo is a custom when two young men who wish to wed the same woman or virgin beat each other to win her hand in marriage. Most people embrace Sharo not just to get a wife but also to become famous or infamous. This is due to the fact that individuals from many states and perhaps other nations will be present at the ceremonial celebration.
In addition, the men are expected to suppress or not to show signs of pain and the one who takes the beating without exhibiting the pain, will be the announced winner, hence taking the hand of the bride.
Many have described the festival as uncivilized and brutal. Many see Sharo as savage and cruel practices that endanger the health of young Fulani men. In fact, the Nigerian government has officially banned these Sharo practice, describing it as an archaic, barbaric, repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience.
Although to the modern Fulani community, this custom has become a bygone day practice, due to the fact that custom is dynamic and evolves at a particular time in point. not static. The generation of this time, are thus totally uninformed about this tradition which is now one of the bygone days. However, this practice is still thriving in villages far away from government reach and authority.
As we have seen on many occasions with the Fulani, they are indomitable people who continue to preserve many of their traditions despite many challenges. Regardless of public rejections the Fulani people are proud of their festivities and celebrations such as this Sharo celebration.
This report is published as part of the writer’s internship with Nollywire, facilitated by the National Association of Campus Journalists(NACJ), Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.