Comoros - Where women are boss

by Jasmin Bauomy (Germany)

Comoros

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Imouda (right) and Ashly, a worker with the Peace Corps, wait for a local wedding ceremony to start on the island of Moheli. From the house they can see the entrance to the ceremonial hall. Weddings are a massive event in Comoros  and ceremonies can take place of the course of a week or two.
Imouda (right) and Ashly, a worker with the Peace Corps, wait for a local wedding ceremony to start on the island of Moheli. From the house they can see the entrance to the ceremonial hall. Weddings are a massive event in Comoros and ceremonies can take place of the course of a week or two.
Imouda lives in a house with three generations of women in her family. Before the wedding, she prepares flower necklaces to give to close ones as a blessing.
Imouda lives in a house with three generations of women in her family. Before the wedding, she prepares flower necklaces to give to close ones as a blessing.
Each of the flower necklaces take about half an hour to make. The necklaces consist mainly of the local Ylang Ylang flower - the main cash crop of Comoros, also known as perfume islands. They are essential for the production of famous perfumes, such as Chanel No. 5.
Each of the flower necklaces take about half an hour to make. The necklaces consist mainly of the local Ylang Ylang flower - the main cash crop of Comoros, also known as perfume islands. They are essential for the production of famous perfumes, such as Chanel No. 5.
Comoros is an Arab African Muslim nation. All the more remarkable is that it is the only matrilineal society in the region. Families will often build a house for the bride, which the husband will move into. Even inheritance is passed down between the women of a family.
Comoros is an Arab African Muslim nation. All the more remarkable is that it is the only matrilineal society in the region. Families will often build a house for the bride, which the husband will move into. Even inheritance is passed down between the women of a family.
Imouda (center), her niece, and her aunt Eshati are practicing their party moves. Eshati is wearing a traditional sandalwood mask. It protects the skin from the sun and is known to be a great remedy against heat rashes. It is also considered a beauty enhancement.
Imouda (center), her niece, and her aunt Eshati are practicing their party moves. Eshati is wearing a traditional sandalwood mask. It protects the skin from the sun and is known to be a great remedy against heat rashes. It is also considered a beauty enhancement.