The Ethiopia region of Africa is home to deep-rooted culture and ancient history of civilization that extends as far back as that extends to millions of years. The area flaunts several interesting religious and cultural practices that attract the attention of several African cultural enthusiasts. One of these interesting cultural practices observed by a particular tribal community of Ethiopia is the Fattening festival.
The people of the Bodi Tribe have observed the fattening festival for years. The men of the tribe aspire to be the fattest in their community. Often this aspiration starts at a young as the people with big bellies are glorified in the culture of the Bodi Tribe. Sources suggest that in the customs of the tribe, the men with the biggest belly are most desired. The greater the abdominal volume, the more attractive they will be.
As per the experts of African culture, the women of the tribe are not attracted by wealth, fashion, exotic cars, luxury homes, and six packs. The fat Bodi men attract the women of the Bodi tribe. But to gain such stature as a Bodi man, you must face stiff competition from your fellow tribe members. This usually takes place in the form of a Kael festival.
Although the community is known as the “Bodi Tribe” to the world, internally, they are known as the Me’en. The preparation for the Kael festival is equally interesting and gruesome. To prepare for the contest, the community’s men drink fresh cow blood and milk for 3-6 months. The people of the tribe consider cows to be extremely sacred; thus, they use cows’ blood and milk as a part of their food.
After the Kael ceremony, the contest’s winner is measured and receives great fame from the tribe. The preparation for the festival starts months in advance, and the women and girls bring the men of their tribe milk every morning. This is the women’s effort to help the men in their quest for big gut glory. The winner’s only prize is fame and his fellow tribe members’s adulation.
