At the end of the rainy season near Lake Chad, northern Niger, Wodaabe people come together for <em>Cure Salee</em>, the "Festival of Nomads." At the center of celebrations is <em>Gerewol</em>, a male beauty contest and courtship ritual. Young men -- traditionally herdsmen -- wear full makeup, jewelry and their finest clothes and stand in line to await inspection by female onlookers. White teeth and white eyes are highly prized, so participants will grin broadly and pull all manner of expressions in the hope of attracting attention. It's flirtation <em>en masse</em>, in the hope of winning a night of passion with one of the judges.