Dhaqanka Evala ee Togo: Ragga Kabye oo ku tartama legdinta si ay u noqdaan rag

Kiyaamad kasta oo bartamaha July ah, kumanaan rag ah oo qowmiyadda Kabye ah da'doodu tahay 18 ilaa 20 sano ayaa ka qaybqaata xafladda Evala ee gobolka Kara ee Togo. Waa dhaqan awoowe oo legdin lagu galaa nolosha ragganimada.

Diyaarinta iyo Caadooyinka Evala

Dhalinyarada ka qaybqaata ee loo yaqaan 'Evalo' waxay marka hore u baahan yihiin inay yeeshaan saddex nabaro oo yar yar oo u dhow dhegaha, kuwaas oo lagu sameeyo mindiyo. Tallaabada xigta waxay qasab ku tahay inay la dheelaan eey ilaa uu daal ka dhimanayo, ka dibna ay yaryaquuta hilibkiisa marka ugu horreysa noloshooda.

Sida uu sheegay madaxa canton-ka Tchitchao, Achille Samah Bidiwana: 'Eeygu waa xayawaan xooggan, adkaysi badan oo khatar ah. Marka la cuno hilibkiisa, kuwa xafladda galay waxay qaataan sifooyinkaas.' Wuxuu intaa ku daray: 'Goobta legdinta, kii dhulka dhigaa qofkiisa ayaa guulaysta'.

Culeyska Bulshada iyo Mas'uuliyiinta

In kastoo ay qabiilka Kabye uusan qasab ku ahayn in la legdo, haddana dhalinyaradu waxay la kulmaan cadaadis bulsho. Tchaa Tidiye, tababaraha legdinta ee Pya canton, wuxuu yiri: 'Ma qasabayno Kabye dhalinyaro ah inuu legdo, laakiin haddii uusan legdin, gaar ahaan haddii uu caafimaad qaba, wuxuu keenaa ceeb bulshada'.

Bidiwana wuxuu xusay: 'Heerarka awooyadeen, ma guursan kartid ilaa aad noqoto Evalo.' Saraakiil sare oo ay ku jiraan wasiirro iyo saraakiil ciidan oo ka soo jeeda Kara ayaa maray Evala, oo ay ku jirto madaxweynihii hore ee Togo, Faure Gnassingbe, oo u hadlaya legdheystayaasha af Kabye.

Aqoonsiga Caalamiga ah iyo Dalxiiska

Dowladda Togo waxay bilowday nidaamka diiwaangelinta Evala ee liiska UNESCO ee hiddaha dhaqanka ee aan la taaban karin. Wasiirka Dhaqanka Isaac Tchiakpe ayaa AFP u sheegay: 'Dowladda Togo waxay go'aansatay in Evala si sax ah loogu aqoonsado heer caalami'.

Tartanada legdintu waxay soo jiiteen dalxiisayaal gudaha iyo dibadda ah. Sandrine Plathey oo uga timid Faransiiska ayaa tiri: 'Waa daah-fur cajiib ah.' Laakiin sanado badan, rabshadaha kooxaha jihaadiga ah ee Saaxilka ayaa saameyn ku yeeshay waqooyiga Togo, khatar ku ah dalxiiska.

Thousands of ethnic Kabye men aged 18 to 20 participate in the ancestral Evala ceremony each July

Every mid-July, thousands of ethnic Kabye men aged 18 to 20 take part in the ancestral rite of passage called Evala in Togo's Kara region. The tradition involves wrestling to become men, with participants known as Evalo.

Pre-Wrestling Rituals and Social Expectations

Before wrestling, each Evalo must bear three small scars near each ear, made using blades. The next rite requires the initiates to dance with a dog until it dies of exhaustion, after which they eat the meat for the first time in their lives.

Tchitchao canton chief Achille Samah Bidiwana said the dog is strong, hardy and cunning, and by eating its meat the initiate takes on these qualities. Bidiwana added that by the standards of grandparents, one cannot have a wife before becoming an Evalo.

Wrestling Arena and Public Figures

In the arena, the one who floors his opponent is the winner. Tchaa Tidiye, a coach in Pya canton, said participation is not compulsory but a fit young man who refuses brings shame on society. Several officials underwent Evala.

Faure Gnassingbe, former president and current Council of Ministers leader, attended and addressed wrestlers in Kabye. He underwent the rite like his father Eyadema. Tidiye said Faure Gnassingbe is considered one of the best wrestlers of his generation.

UNESCO Bid and Tourism Concerns

Togo launched the process to register Evala on the UNESCO intangible heritage list. Culture Minister Isaac Tchiakpe said the government is determined to see Evala duly recognised internationally. Matches already attract domestic and foreign tourists.

Sandrine Plathey, who travelled from France, called it a wonderful discovery. However, jihadist violence from the neighbouring Sahel has affected Togo's far north for several years, threatening tourism to the region's lush landscapes.