The Sharo Festival of Flogging

Sharo comes from the Fulani language and means “to flog.” Two potential suitors compete for a girl’s hand in marriage by participating in a flogging competition. This is a prominent and long-standing ritual in Fulani culture. This test is carried out to determine whether a young man has reached the age of majority and is mature enough to accept a spouse. To destroy his adversary if he happens to unleash his vigour, a suitor must endure the ordeal of caning. The upcoming groom will have friends and family supporting him. At the same time, he undergoes the gruelling process to prevent him from crying or shedding even a single tear because if he does, the bride’s family will immediately reject him and view him as weak.

 

Some Fulanis observe Sharo during the dry season when guinea corn is ready to be harvested. Additionally, Sharo is celebrated during the Eid-el-Kabir Sallahfestivities. Fields, village squares, and marketplaces are examples of the open spaces typically used for such events. Prestigious individuals from inside and outside the Fulani nation and Nigeria are generally present at the events.

However, the appearance of bare-chested, unmarried young men who are followed to the centre ring by attractive young girls is the highlight of the sharofestival in northern Nigeria. The festival opens with various skits performed by maiden dancers and tricksters. However, the main event of the celebration has yet tobegin. The families of the contenders watch and pray that their sons will not disgrace their family because it is embarrassing for a family whose son is unable to endure the pain of the flogging. Enraptured spectators cheer on in dread as the contenders and challengers start the round.

On the other hand, candidates typically recite mantras during the flogging ceremony, which serves as some customary fortification in preparation for the festival. At the same time, they know suffering has its consequences. These violent floggings frequently leave scars on the proud contenders. These scars are seen as signs of bravery and a successful transition to manhood by the proud contendants. Other young people functioning as referees keep a tight eye on the events and ensure that the strokes are delivered equitably.

During the competition, the participant displays his whip and flogs his opponent a minimum of ten times. To avoid being labelled a coward, he must suffer in every way possible without showing any signs of agony or writhing in discomfort.

The families of the competitors watch the Sharo event with bated breath, hoping their son will make it to the finish line. This could humiliate those who still need to complete the competition successfully. For this process, the contestants recite mantras as they are being flogged. On the other hand, if a potential suitor gives in and can no longer tolerate being flogged, he succumbs to the more powerful rival immediately.

As the festival draws to a close, the individual who has survived is honoured as a man and allowed to marry the girl who was the subject of the competition or any other girl of his choosing. He can marry as many as four wives, providing he can maintain a balance among all four. If he wishes to do so and can endure more hardship in other competitions, he can consider doing so. Consequently, this is by Islamic law, which permits a man to marry more than one wife.

A potential husband must not only be able to win during the Sharo festival, which showcases bravery, but he must also show no signs of agony or sobbing while he is being flogged. This is a requirement for participating in the festi val.