Ruggaku

Rugaraku??

Yes, just a few weeks ago, I too was asking this question - just what is a Ruggaku?? Well, this is a ceremony in which the Rugga - head shepherd - of an area is chosen and presented. This position carries the respect of the area . . . in each village, there is a Rugga - he organizes the village shepherds and is the head negotiator concerning any problems with the herd - he is a respected elder in his village. The Rugga who I went to see presented, is the new head Rugga of a region of several square hundred kilometres - from Niamey South to Sie and Torodi and East to Dosso.

The ceremony begins when the Ruggga is paraded into the presentation area - preceeded by drumming and fan fare. He walks in under a blanket and spends the entire ceremony under the blanket.

Drumming Procession video link

Following the new Rugga, is a procession of various shepherds from all the villages of whom he is now the head shepherd - each group is dressed in varying colours to distinguish each group. The shepherds carry their herding stick, to which is attached their supplies while they wander to herd: sleeping mat, skin sack for water, drinking spoon, and bowl.

Following the shepherds is a procession of ladies, again from each village. They carry on their heads 'powle'. This is the Fulani ladies kitchen - signifying the days when the Fulani were nomadic tribes roaming around the plains with their cattle.

The powle contains: calabash bowls (hollowed fruit halves - used for drinking milk with millet grains, drinking spoons, stick whisks (for stirring sauce) and round covers for the bowls.

After the procession participants all sit down around the new Rugga, the ceremony begins. The moderator pronounces the new Rugga and then various village Ruggas present their gifts - money and/or loaner cows. (In the Fulani tradition, people will loan cows for 2-4 years, the recipient then keeps the calves born and returns the cow.)

Ceremony Photos:

I went to the ceremony with my friends Rachel and Sjoerd - missionaries in Niger who also work among the Fulani. While Sjoerd wandered around taking photos, Rachel and I found ourselves a hangar beneath which we sat in the shade and chatted with the Fulani women there. It was a great afternoon - of cultural learning and language practice.

And our giggle for the day - you can tell it is cold season when . . .

(photo compliment of my friend - Sjoerd)