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Funérailles à  Bongo : Le Vieil Anai – Anai Dolo (1848-1971)

Funeral Rites in Bongo
Jean Rouch
Germaine Dieterlen
1979 France 90 minutes French

Anai, the elder of Bongo village in Mali, who died 122 years old, was the leader of the Mask society. Men come from neighbouring villages, to take part in make-believe fights with stone-guns, spears or bows. The tall Bongo mask is raised over the mask cave. After they have recited the ritual mottos of old Anai, villagers, men and women alike, dance and weep.

Production :
Serddav
Editing :
Danièle Tessier
Sound :
Moussa Hamidou; Ibrahim Guindo
Photography :
Jean Rouch

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