Is human beauty sacred?
Cheers.
shareAs a young man, I thought so. I soon found out that human beauty is just a commodity.
shareWonder what drove you to that conclusion "Why Not Write Me" (like the username).
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MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Is human beauty sacred?
It's important for women to be attractive in most societies.
But, I found a society in Africa where male beauty is sacred. Once a year, there is a week-long festival in which the men put on makeup for hours, colorful clothing and dance and chant for days. It's basically a male beauty pageant. The women, both single and married, choose their future husband or one nightstand. A women married to an ugly guy has a chance to dump him for a good-looking husband.
The men stand in a row while dancing and chanting, then the woman will bashfully approach the man she wants and quickly tap him on the shoulder.
White eyes, teeth and height are their beauty standards so they're emphasized in the dance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OH6AMVZYwE&t=118s
A woman choosing her future husband:
https://youtu.be/MlnO1QDqpaQ?t=2489
Woke drivel.
Did you just call a Muslim society "woke"? LOL!!!!!!
shareNo I just called your post Woke drivel. And as usual you back up your Wokery with idiocy.
"The meaning of WOKE is aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)"
Your usage of the term is incorrect!
Anyway, take your racist misogynistic nonsense to Politics where it belongs. This topic is about if human beauty is sacred.
Males seek females based on looks. Females seek males based on security.
That society is a charade founded in utter shallowness. But we all know if a woman's husband has a lot of cattle, she's not trading him in. Males still own the cattle and thus the power.
Step out of your Western mindset for one moment and think about the following since theirs is a completely different culture from ours:
Our society values financial wealth above all else. We go to war, rob each other and kill for it.
Their society values beauty above all else:
"They also worship physical beauty; not as superficial decoration but as an intrinsic part of their culture which must be glorified and paraded for the enjoyment of others."
They just want you to enjoy yourself by looking at their beauty!!!
Imagine the U.S. (or other Western country) as a place where you would never be robbed or burglarized. Good-looking people would just parade in front of you!
"The Wodaabe are some of the kindest and gentlest people I’ve ever met."
I noticed that too as I watched the different videos. The woman are very humble and bashful when they choose a man. Everyone is very respectful towards each other. Charm is also very important.
"They shelter in the most basic of structures with few possessions and are totally dependent on their animals for survival."
I believe cattle ownership is communal. They're a nomadic people so they travel light and help each other. They're not materialistic. The women legitimately want a good-looking guy who is preferably charming!
After the woman has a baby, she lives with her mother and doesn't see her husband for three years. The woman doesn't interact with her child for two years. The first spouse is chosen by the parents and must be a cousin. Subsequent spouses are chosen by the woman based on looks.
Someone needs to write a book about them or do a reality show!
Many of the men and women are good-looking so it must have worked. Ugly people don't get a chance to have babies. This reminds me of the movie "Wild Women of Wongo".
https://adventure.com/wodaabe-nomads-gerewol-chad-africa/
Okay, sorry if my original response was kneejerk. It's a very different culture.
To judge from a Western material mindset was wrong.
Sure, without going to deep into it, it seems shallow. And shallowness is a human trait which is universal. They're a more traditional people and they are buttressed by an ancient culture.
Yeah, the world will be a more dismal place when such unique traditions are replaced by cell phones and strip malls. That's for sure.
Great post actually, Keelai. Intriguing and I learned something.
Thanks. They're referred to as "people of the taboo" because they do their own thing which is considered radical by others.
I found more articles about them. Individuals do own cattle, but they must share with the poor. Cattle and children = wealth and bragging rights. Women have some freedom, but men are the head of clans and family so your initial comment was correct.
They're an interesting people. I just put seeing their festival in person on my bucket list.
Okay. I watched the whole film. I'm wondering why they're making the funny faces? If I was a woman I'd be afraid. Lol. I'm a gay guy and I found it hard to find any of them attractive. 🤣
shareThe irony is that they're attractive WITHOUT the makeup.
Funny faces may be showmanship to get the ladies attention.
Well it's a different culture. It's interesting to note how human behavior is drastically altered by the culture in which we are raised. Can you imagine in a Western singles club if a guy sat at the bar and made faces like that? The women would run! 🤣
Be sure and let me know when you visit this amazing festival!
"It's important for women to be attractive in most societies."
Notice the emphasis on the IMPORTANT part. Not just preferable. Not just possible. Not just officially and de-facto advantageous? Not just likely? Not just nice and pleasant? Not just something in and of itself etc? But downright important. OK OK. :)
Sacred means it would have a religious connotation, something sanctified or Godly. I am an agnostic so I don't believe that is the case.
But in terms of evolutionary psychology physical beauty equates with good genes. So people are genetically programmed to want to mate with young, healthy and attractive people. High social status and by implication wealth can also be a consideration for females.
Nope. It's forsaken.
shareNo. Human beauty is salable.
People both sell their beautify and buy it. That's what the cosmetic and plastic surgeries are all about, people trying to buy beauty.
I mean, sacred means specifically connected to God, right? So I guess, if you believe in God, and that God created everything that exists, then yeah he created humans so their beauty is sacred.
shareJoke and fairly serious question. OK MAYBE on some men, but we often DO NOT treat men in similar say forgiving stances as civilized, and OK there MAY be exceptions but my conscience tells me it may be due to ignorance here and there, and plus with men being physically stronger and the fact that throughout human history, they were responsible for it all and other wrongful matters. But OK I was wondering...
If beauty happens to be on someone who say has done something wrong, BESIDES the fact that if its illegal they WILL of course be arrested and if immoral they will STILL be judged in any way...
On second thoughts folks and fellas, NEVER MIND, almost like that 1991 Nirvana great album, I think I already know the answer to that not-controversial and not-notorious err so called "question".
I knew it already. But FILMS and MOVIES in a highly PSEUDO way and UNOFFICIAL styles occasionally provoked if not other THOUGHTS here, than the right for mere shocked FEELINGS in its own category without ALWAYS giving morality too much official importance.
Then again, with other aspects aside, I am not really all that concerned with arresting FICTIONAL characters even beautiful NON male ones hahaha. :)
Lol indeed. :) :) :)
Sacred. Holy. To put in the words to write it down - that is walking on hollow ground. But its my duty. I'm a missionary. Depeche Mode - "Sacred" song, 1987. :)
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