Here by Glimpses Known

[wayfaringwordhack]

Here in Mayotte, at the end of the year, each elementary school has a big fête, the highlight of which is every class performing a dance (I would say that it is always traditional, except I heard Shakira played at the one I attended) in their assorted costumes. My neighbor, Sakina, asked me to take pictures of her daughter. Once there, she also asked that I photograph her niece and a friend's child. Then other neighbors and sisters of neighbors saw me with the camera and it was snap, snap, snap. Bless digital cameras... 







Florine

This is a typical hair decoration for fêtes, but of an evening, many women like to wear jasmine in their hair.




The "stage."




Soraya, another neighborhood girl. The circles on her face are done with powdered sandalwood, which women of the Comoros use as a beauty mask and sunscreen. The usual way of wearing the msindzano (literally sandalwood in Shimaoré) is smeared over the whole face or cheeks, nose, and forehead. But when it is considered "make-up" or for a party, they do artistic designs like Florine and Soraya are wearing

.

Comments

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

What lovely pictures. The children are BEAUTIFUL!

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

They are lovely, aren't they? *g*

[learningtoread.livejournal.com]

I don't think I've ever seen such beautiful children before in my life.


I mean, my own kid is, of course, really lovely, but wow. Those little girls are striking. And the sandalwood designs are amazing.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I would like to do the msindzano, too, but it just won't look as nice on my pale skin. I'll pass the compliments along to Florine and Soraya. :)

[stillnotbored.livejournal.com]

What beautiful little girls! I'm so glad you share these pictures.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

And I'm glad that others are enjoying them as much as I am. :)

[tatterpunk.livejournal.com]

They are gorgeous -- both the girls and the pictures.

And now I want to travel to an African country, someday.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I definitely recommend Africa in general, though I've only ever been to Kenya; my husband has been to Senegal and had great encounters, too. the hospitality alone is like nothing in the Western cultures I've lived in.

[rabiagale.livejournal.com]

How lovely! What beautiful girls! What is the traditional garb for boys like, or was this an all-girls event?

[secritcrush.livejournal.com]

What lovely pictures, such lovely children.

Mayotte is so beautiful seen through your eyes.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Mayotte is so beautiful seen through your eyes.

I think it is even more beautiful now that I'm acclimated. All these reminders will be truly lovely once I'm gone and looking back in nostalgia on this time in my life.