Evala
Evala is the name of a ritual of the Kabiyé people living in northern Togo and a traditional form of wrestling , which is practiced by the Kabiyé in this context.
Cultural meaning
The Evala Festival takes place annually in July and lasts for several days. For the Kabiyé, this is an important social event that attracts thousands of visitors every day and is regularly attended by high-ranking politicians. The wrestling matches are part of the initiation ritual of young men into adults. Within this ritual, Evala represents the penultimate element. The wrestling matches are the fight for fame and honor for the family name. At the present stations, the young men live separated from their parents and prepare first prepare for the ritual and adult life through mental training. On a ritual hike, the young Kabiyé have to pass various tasks before they then take part in the Evala festival. The conclusion of the ritual is circumcision . The women's transition ritual , the Akpéma , takes place in August.
Political background
Evala served the dictatorial government Gnassingbé Eyadémas as a recruiting tool for the army. Eyadéma, himself a Kabiyé, held a large proportion of the public offices with members of his ethnic group during his tenure, especially in the military sector up to 80% of the Kabiyé members of the army.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Andrew Manly: Togo: After Eyadéma? UNHCR, February 1, 2003, accessed March 28, 2008 .