senufo masquerades

[bubudi]

the senufo are an ethnic group situated between southeast mali and neighbouring southern burkina faso and northern ivory coast. there are 50 sub groups within the senufo, each with their particular traditional territory, customs and dialect. the senufo predominantly practice traditional religion which includes many religious cults dedicated to deities and ancestors. near each senufo village is a sacred grove - a forest remnant. these sacred groves are preserved and dedicated to the deities.

the senufo, renowned great hunters, also follow a special initiation for entering the brotherhood of hunters (dozo ton). this very structurised, hierarchical brotherhood is rigid. different lessons are taught by the master dozo, according to very strict codes.


nyumu mask of the dozo ton, niansogoni village, burkina faso:



the nyumu mask represents an antelope.


the status of hunter, dozo, is enviable. the dozo indeed enjoy great prestige and respect. it is particularly feared for its mystical abilities: powers of ubiquity, invisibility, metamorphosis and invincibility to weapons...but this status also has its constraints for it is accompanied by dietary and sexual restrictions which must be scrupulously respected.


dajala mask in niansogoni village, burkina faso:



the dajala mask represents a primordial ancestor.


the senufo have a remarkable religious structure, which is very rich in symbolism and ritual. it is linked to an initiation society for men based on age classes, the poro. this society, which includes a system of deferred mutual economic benefits between senior and junior members, as well as strict ritual obligations, structures the entire everyday and religious world. it is supported by the law of secrecy and is territorially written in the 'sacred grove', situated on the outskirts of each village.


boloye dance of the poro society, korhogo, ivory coast:



the boloye mask represents a panther and is accompanied by a bolongo (1 string harp-lute).


there is also a feminine secret society, the sandogo, which ensures the unity and continuity of maternal lineages by its function of monitoring and compliance with rules of alliance and the fact that it recruits the matrilineal line and provides the diviners. the 'spectacular' funerals of the senufo are the expression of these two major associations of a society that attaches importance to 'good death'.


ngoron dance of the sandogo society, abidjan, ivory coast (note: this is a stylised version being taught in a workshop).



the ngoron is not a masquerade, but is performed in the moonlight at the end of the rights of passage.

[James]