The beauty pageant where women judge men

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This beauty pageant has a twist: women judge male contestants

LOCATION: Agadez, Niger

‘Gerewol’ is a traditional beauty contest in Niger

held every year by Wodaabe men and an all-female panel

(SOUNDBITE) (French) 22-YEAR-OLD WODAABE BEAUTY CONTEST PARTICIPANT, BEJI, SAYING:"Now we are going to the Gerewol, to show our beauty, Gerewol is for beauty, the man has to be tall, have long arms, he needs to be handsome."

The contestants perform a dance known as 'Yaake'

and are judged on their suitability as husbands

(SOUNDBITE) (Fulani) MEMBER OF GEREWOL BEAUTY CONTEST JURY, MOUDE, SAYING:"If there are handsome men, women will choose them to get married. Women choose who they want to get married with. During the festival we choose the most handsome men but also our husbands."

Each member of the jury chooses her favorite contestant

and can take him as her partner

even if both are already married